Q: I have had diabetes for many years and have no known complications. I understand kidney disease does not have symptoms until much later stages. What is the best way to know if my kidneys are truly healthy?
A: You are correct that kidney disease is often silent and does not have symptoms until significant damage has occurred. The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes have two specific tests done each year to determine the health of their kidneys. The first test, microalbuminuria, determines if small amounts of a protein called albumin are present in the urine. The other test, estimated GFR (glomerular filtration rate), provides another important indicator of kidney health and is essential for all individuals with diabetes to have done as well.
