What does a microalbuminuria urine test measure?

A microalbuminuria urine test measures the amount of albumin in the urine, according to Healthline. The amount of albumin in the urine can help determine if a person has damage to his kidneys.

Normally a microalbuminuria urine test is done with a creatinine test, which allows a doctor to analyze the albumin-to-creatinine ratio, states Healthline. When functioning properly, kidneys normally remove creatinine, a waste product in the blood. When kidney damage occurs, creatinine levels in the urine decrease and albumin levels in the urine increase. The test helps doctors treat kidney damage before it develops into more serious kidney failure, which can lead to dialysis.