Small amounts of protein in the urine. The first sign of kidney damag (nephropathy) caused by many years of high blood glucose levels. Microalbuminuria is reversible if the blood glucose control is improved.

The appearance of small amounts of the protein albumin in urine. A sign that the kidney's filtering system is beginning to weaken.

The presence of very small amounts of protein in urine; a very early sign of vascular damage to the kidney in type 1 diabetes and a sign of increased vascular risk in type 2; reversible if detected and treated.