Kidneys perform several tasks related to the survival of the body. One of the tasks performed by the kidneys is filtering albumin. Albumin is a human serum found in the blood plasma. Produced by the liver, albumin is water-soluble and required for cell growth. It is a type of protein that helps tissues to heal and repair. In a healthy person, albumin is present in the blood and not in the urine. When the kidneys become damaged, they leak small amounts of albumin in the urine. The glomerulus in the kidney becomes highly permeable to albumin and leaks it into the urine. Many kidney diseases decrease the permeability of the glomerulus and tend to increase the albumin level in the urine.

What is a Microalbuminuria (MAU), Spot Urine Test?  

Kidneys perform several tasks related to the survival of the body. One of the tasks performed by the kidneys is filtering albumin. Albumin is a human serum found in the blood plasma. Produced by the liver, albumin is water-soluble and required for cell growth. It is a type of protein that helps tissues to heal and repair. In a healthy person, albumin is present in the blood and not in the urine. When the kidneys become damaged, they leak small amounts of albumin in the urine. The glomerulus in the kidney becomes highly permeable to albumin and leaks it into the urine. Many kidney diseases decrease the permeability of the glomerulus and tend to increase the albumin level in the urine. 

Albumin should always be present in the blood plasma and not in the urine. Microalbuminuria is a condition that occurs when the kidneys start leaking albumin in the urine. In recent years, medical organisations have developed a different term for microalbuminuria. Several medical organisations refer to microalbuminuria as moderately increased albuminuria. When the kidneys are healthy, they filter out the waste product from the body. However, when the kidneys are damaged, they filter out proteins like albumin from the body. Several consequences occur when proteins are filtered out from the body. One has to take a spot urine test/microalbuminuria test to identify whether albumin is leaked into the urine. Read on to understand more about the spot urine test and when to take it. 

Who Should Get a Microalbuminuria (MAU), Spot Urine Test? 

People suffering from kidney damage or disease require an MAU test. Sometimes, people can see the abnormality in their urine. The doctor may ask the patient to take an MAU test in such a condition. Kidney diseases like diabetes and hypertension will require an MAU test. In some cases, the urine may take a foam-like structure. Foamy urine is an abnormality and calls for an MAU test. Usually, kidney diseases do not show any symptoms during the early stages. As kidney disease becomes severe, more bodily symptoms start occurring. Some bodily symptoms that call for an MAU test are as follows: 
 

• Swelling in hands and feet 
• Swelling in the abdomen region 
• Swelling in the face 
• Diabetic symptoms 
• Edema 
• Foamy urine 
• Hypertension symptoms 
• High blood pressure 

Why Get Tested for Microalbuminuria (MAU)? 

When albumin starts leaking into the urine, it requires immediate attention. If the condition of microalbuminuria is not addressed timely, it can become life-threatening. Sometimes, kidney failure might not show any symptoms during the early stages. In such a case, an MAU test is more than important. Without an MAU test, doctors cannot specify the reason for kidney failure. People suffering from hereditary kidney diseases also require an MAU test. Often, doctors ask kidney patients to take an MAU test together with a creatinine test. Creatinine is a waste material that is filtered out by the kidneys. When the kidneys are damaged, the levels of creatinine increase in the body, and the level of albumin decreases. To avoid any serious consequences, people should go for an MAU test. One should immediately go for an MAU test after experiencing any kidney damage symptoms. 

When Get Tested for Microalbuminuria (MAU)? 

Informed people do not wait for kidney failure to occur. They take an MAU test at frequent intervals to monitor the albumin levels in the urine. With proactive kidney failure detection, the patient has a greater chance of recovering. Ideally, one should go for an MAU test after showing symptoms of kidney diseases. Bodily symptoms like foamy urine and swelling in the abdomen indicate the need for an MAU test. Patients undergoing kidney treatment will get tested for MAU at frequent intervals to measure the effectiveness of the treatment. 

Sample Required 

Lab technicians require a urine sample to measure the amount of albumin in the urine. Doctors administer different types of MAU tests, and patients provide urine samples accordingly. When taking a random spot urine test, the patient will provide a urine sample right away. In some cases, the doctor can ask the patient to collect urine samples throughout the day. The doctor can also state a specific time for a urine sample, like in the morning or after dinner. 

Is Fasting Required Before a Microalbuminuria (MAU), Spot Urine Test? 

Many diagnostic tests demand fasting due to certain reasons. However, there are no special preparations associated with a spot urine test. One does not have to fast before taking an MAU test. The only condition for a spot urine test is that you should provide a fresh urine sample. One can normally eat before taking an MAU test. If you are confused, it is better to consult the doctor before taking an MAU test.