The term of microalbuminuria is unrelated a low molecular weight, but indicates a low excretion level of albumin, i.e. between 20-200 mg/L. This concentration is not detectable by the usual test strips whose detection limit of albumin is 300 mg/L.

The microalbumin screening is the most common method to measure microalbuminuria and is useful in detecting early kidney disease. This can be done with a test strip or a specific quantitative immunoassay test. The efficacy of the test strip has been approved for medical practice and at home testing for patients.

 

Clinical relevance

Nephropathy is a dangerous complication in patients with diabetes mellitus (especially type I) or hypertension. Diabetic nephropathy may develop five years after the onset of the illness. The microalbumin screening is important to minimize or delay kidney damage with early therapeutic measures. Microalbuminuria also occurs in patients with hypertension without diabetes mellitus.
It has a predictive value of cardiovascular disorders in patients with essential hypertension.