what is albumin in urine

Albumin is a protein found in the blood that helps keep the correct balance of fluid between blood vessels and the body tissues they supply. Healthy kidneys dont let albumin pass from the blood into the urine, but a damaged kidney lets some albumin pass into the urine, which is known as albuminuria or proteinuria. Albuminuria is a sign of kidney disease and means that you have too much albumin in your urine. A health care provider often tests for albuminuria using a urine dipstick test followed by a urine albumin and creatinine measurement. A urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio test is a common way to screen for high albumin levels, known as albuminuria. This screening is most often done if you have a higher risk of kidney disease, including diabetes, high blood pressure, or a family history of kidney problems. If your test shows high levels of urine albumin, or a rise in urine albumin, it could mean you have kidney damage or disease.