Diabetes mellitus can cause various complications of which the most important is the disease of the kidneys. The presence of small amounts of albumin in urine (microalbumin) is one of the earliest abnormalities seen in people with diabetes. This is an indication of diabetes affecting the kidneys. There are various methods to protect the kidneys in people with diabetes. This includes the following.
- Improving the blood glucose control to achieve HbA1c of less than 7 %
- Controlling the blood pressure to less than 130/80 mm Hg
- Reducing weight
- Stopping smoking
- Avoid medicines that may harm the kidney like painkillers.
- Medicines like Telmisartan, Losartan and Ramipril
- Diabetes medicines like Dapagliflozin, Empagliflozin and Canagliflozin
- New medicines like Finerenone can also reduce the risk of kidney disease progression.
All these measures must be implemented in people with early signs of kidney disease like albumin in urine to prevent it from progressing to more severe disease.