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Albuminuria

Albuminuria — the most common form of proteinuria — occurs when you have a protein called albumin in your urine. Healthy kidneys don’t allow albumin to get into your urine. When it happens, it can be a sign of kidney problems.

The experts at UPMC can help you find the cause of protein in your urine, develop a treatment plan, and monitor your condition over time.

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What Is Albuminuria?

Albuminuria is the most common form of proteinuria, which occurs when you have a protein called albumin in your urine. Healthy kidneys don’t allow albumin to get into your urine. When albumin is present in urine, it can be a sign of kidney problems.

What are the types of albuminuria?

There are two types of albuminuria:

  • Short-term albuminuria — Caused by temporary stress on the kidneys.
  • Long-term albuminuria — Caused by chronic, permanent kidney damage.

What causes albuminuria?

Albuminuria occurs when the kidneys' filtering system doesn’t work correctly, allowing protein to leak into your urine.

Causes of chronic (long-term) albuminuria include:

Causes of short-term albuminuria include:

  • Dehydration.
  • Fever.
  • Flare-up of heart failure.
  • Infection.
  • Intense exercise.

What are albuminuria risk factors and complications?

Albuminuria risk factors

You may be at higher risk of developing albuminuria if you have:

  • Diabetes.
  • Family history of chronic kidney disease.
  • High blood pressure.

If you are over the age of 65, African American, Hispanic, or Native American, you may be at higher risk of developing kidney disease.

Complications of albuminuria

Albuminuria is often a sign of kidney problems such as CKD, AKI, and glomerular disease.

How serious is albumin in urine?

Albuminuria is a risk factor for progressive chronic kidney disease, as well as a risk factor for cardiovascular events, such as coronary artery disease, heart failure, and stroke.

If left untreated, albuminuria also may be associated with other serious complications, including:

  • Health problems like anemia or bone disease.
  • High blood pressure leading to heart disease or stroke.
  • End-stage kidney disease (kidney failure).

How can I prevent albuminuria? 

You may not be able to prevent albuminuria, but it is important to maintain a healthy weight and manage any health conditions that can increase your risk for the disease.

To reduce your risk of albuminuria, you can:

  • Control chronic conditions — See a doctor for regular care if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • Eat healthy — Eating a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables is good for overall health and can lower high blood pressure. Limiting salt from shakers and processed foods also helps reduce blood pressure.
  • Exercise — Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity most days of the week.
  • Get preventive care — Routinely check your blood pressure and blood sugar (glucose).
  • Keep track of medications — Inform your doctor if you routinely take over-the-counter drugs or herbal supplements and avoid or limit the use of NSAID medications (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen).
  • Manage stress — Take steps to manage stress and get at least seven to eight hours of sleep each night.
  • Reduce alcohol intake — Limit alcohol to one drink a day for women and two drinks per day for men.
  • Stop smoking — Quit smoking if you smoke cigarettes or marijuana.

How common is albuminuria?

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, albuminuria affects approximately 10% of adults in the U.S.

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What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Albuminuria?

Albuminuria may not cause any noticeable symptoms. It is often found on routine urine tests or tests for other conditions.

If you have symptoms of albuminuria, they may include:

  • Foamy or bubbly urine.
  • Swelling in your face, feet, ankles, legs, or abdomen.
  • Urinating more often than usual.

When should I see a doctor about my albuminuria symptoms?

If you have symptoms of albuminuria, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Your doctor will look for the cause of albuminuria and recommend treatment to reduce your risk of complications.

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How Do You Diagnose Albuminuria?

Your doctor will perform a physical exam, talk to you about your health history, and order urine tests to diagnose albuminuria.

What to expect during your visit

During your visit, your doctor will:

  • Ask about any medications you’re taking.
  • Perform a physical exam.
  • Order urine tests.
  • Review your health history.

Tests to diagnose albuminuria

Urine tests

The main test to diagnose albuminuria is the urine albumin-to-creatine ratio (ACR). This test looks for high levels of a protein called albumin in your urine.

Test results may show:

  • Normal albumin levels — Results lower than 30 mg/g.
  • Elevated albumin levels — Results between 30-300 mg/g.
  • Severely elevated albumin levels — Results higher than 300 mg/g.

The uACR test may be repeated multiple times to confirm the results and monitor response to treatment.

Other tests

Your doctor may order other tests to look for the cause of your albuminuria, including:

  • CT scan — A test that creates images of your body's organs, bones, and tissues.
  • Kidney biopsy — A procedure that involves taking small pieces of kidney tissue for examination under a microscope to check for signs of disease.
  • Ultrasound — Uses sound waves to create images of your organs to check for problems.

Albuminuria prognosis

Your prognosis after being diagnosed with albuminuria depends on the cause of your condition and whether it is temporary or chronic. Your doctor will discuss your diagnosis, the cause, and your prognosis with you.

Can albuminuria be reversed?

Whether albuminuria is reversible depends on the cause. Short-term albuminuria is temporary and often can be reversed with treatment. Long-term albuminuria may be chronic, requiring ongoing treatment and management.

What is the life expectancy of someone with albuminuria?

If you have albuminuria caused by chronic kidney disease, you may have a shorter-than-average life expectancy.

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How Do You Treat Albuminuria?

Albuminuria treatment aims to reduce the risk of complications and, if possible, treat the condition's cause. Your treatment will depend on the cause of your albuminuria and the type and severity of your symptoms.

Treatment may include:

Dietary changes

Dietary changes alone may not be enough to treat albuminuria, but reducing the amount of salt, fluid, and protein you eat may help with fluid retention and high blood pressure. Your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian, who will recommend dietary changes to support kidney health.

Medicine to treat albuminuria

Depending on the cause of your albuminuria, your doctor may prescribe medication to:

  • Lower blood sugar levels.
  • Manage blood pressure.
  • Reduce inflammation.

Why choose UPMC for albuminuria care?

When you choose UPMC for albuminuria care, you will receive:

  • Access to world-class nephrology expertise — Our world-renowned experts treat the full spectrum of kidney diseases using the latest diagnostic and treatment techniques.
  • A full range of treatment options — We'll work with you to develop a treatment plan that slows the progression of your disease as much as possible and improves your quality of life.
  • Multidisciplinary care — If you need advanced kidney treatment, we partner with special dialysis clinics, experts in supportive care, and kidney transplant surgeons.

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By UPMC Editorial Staff. Last reviewed on 2025-04-24 by  Alexandra Bursic, MD.