Diabetic Nephropathy

Diagnosis

The first sign of kidney damage is protein in the urine, which a doctor can measure in microscopic amounts, called microalbuminuria. Small amounts of albumin show up in the urine 5 to 10 years before major kidney damage happens.

If you have diabetes, your doctor will suggest regular monitoring of urine and blood tests to check the health of your kidneys.

Occasionally, a doctor may be concerned that kidney injury in a diabetic person is related to a separate problem. In that case, other tests such as ultrasound or a kidney biopsy may be recommended. In a biopsy, a small piece of kidney tissue is removed through a needle and examined in a laboratory.

Expected Duration

Kidney disease can’t be reversed once damage is done. Kidney disease from diabetes is progressive, meaning it continues to get worse. However, good control of blood sugar and blood pressure and treatment with medicine from either of two drug groups (see prevention, below) can slow the progression of the disease.