Microalbumin
What is microalbumin?
Microalbumin refers to the detection of small amounts of albumin in the urine.
Why measure microalbumin?
Measurement of small amounts of albumin in the urine (microalbuminuria) is a test for early diabetic nephropathy and can be used to help identify patients who would benefit from an ACEI.
How is microalbumin measured?
Albumin can be measured in a 20ml urine sample. Ideally this needs to be the first urine sample passed in the morning. As well as the amount of albumin being measured the amount of creatinine in the sample is also quantified so that the results can be expressed as an albumin:creatinine ratio.
What do the results mean?
Click on the link to the microalbumin flowchart.
Within the Clinical Domain of the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF) the recording of microalbumin results and treatment score points