Kidney function
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a silent disease with potential complications arising from a diagnosis of diabetes and/or the use of specific medicines.
This affects about 10% of the population, with a higher rate for Maori, Pacific, Asian and South Asian people. If left untreated it can lead to full renal (kidney) failure.
Renal function is an indication of your kidney's condition, and all people with diabetes, or with potential medicine issues, should have an annual Albumin:Creatinine Ratio (ACR) check.
For people with type 1 or 2 diabetes, annual ACR screening is recommended, to enable early treatment to prevent deterioration of their renal function.
Older people (over 75) taking medicines that are primarily excreted by the kidneys may also require renal function monitoring in order to determine if dose adjustments are needed. Common medicines that require regular renal function monitoring such as ACR include:
This in-pharmacy test for ACR is useful for all people with potential kidney issues due to diabetes or other causes.
This affects about 10% of the population, with a higher rate for Maori, Pacific, Asian and South Asian people. If left untreated it can lead to full renal (kidney) failure.
Renal function is an indication of your kidney's condition, and all people with diabetes, or with potential medicine issues, should have an annual Albumin:Creatinine Ratio (ACR) check.
For people with type 1 or 2 diabetes, annual ACR screening is recommended, to enable early treatment to prevent deterioration of their renal function.
Older people (over 75) taking medicines that are primarily excreted by the kidneys may also require renal function monitoring in order to determine if dose adjustments are needed. Common medicines that require regular renal function monitoring such as ACR include:
- ACE-inhibitors, e.g. cilazapril, quinapril
- Anticoagulants, particularly dabigatran
- Diuretics, e.g. as furosemide
- NSAIDs, e.g. naproxen
- Lithium
- Aminoglycosides, e.g. digoxin
This in-pharmacy test for ACR is useful for all people with potential kidney issues due to diabetes or other causes.
The test
|
A small drop of blood is taken from a light finger prick, and quickly analysed in a special machine, the Alere Afinion™ AS100 Analyzer.
It takes about 5-10 mins. There is a charge for this service. |
The results
You get a full report on the Albumin:Creatinine Ratio (ACR). This ratio is measured as albumin (mcg/L) to creatinine (mg/L).
An ACR of:
Albuminuria is a condition where the blood protein albumin is abnormally present in the urine as a result of a kidney malfunction. In healthy people only trace amounts of it are present in urine, whereas larger amounts occur in the urine of patients with kidney disease. Those with macroalbuminuria are on the way to kidney failure unless action is taken.
However not everyone with diabetes develops kidney disease. Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, blood sugar control, and blood pressure. Generally, the better a person keeps diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower their chance of getting chronic kidney disease CKD or full renal failure .
You will also receive advice if there seems to be a problem.
Your privacy is assured.
An ACR of:
- less than 30 — is normal;
- 30-300 — signifies microalbuminuria; and
- over 300 — are considered as macroalbuminuria.
Albuminuria is a condition where the blood protein albumin is abnormally present in the urine as a result of a kidney malfunction. In healthy people only trace amounts of it are present in urine, whereas larger amounts occur in the urine of patients with kidney disease. Those with macroalbuminuria are on the way to kidney failure unless action is taken.
However not everyone with diabetes develops kidney disease. Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, blood sugar control, and blood pressure. Generally, the better a person keeps diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower their chance of getting chronic kidney disease CKD or full renal failure .
You will also receive advice if there seems to be a problem.
Your privacy is assured.
