Diabetes is a disease of elevated blood sugar(glucose). Glucose is a large molecule in the blood that causes damage to tiny blood vessels all over the body- including the kidneys’ smallest filtering units – the glomeruli.

This filter damage creates holes that allow abnormal leaking of protein (albumin) in the urine. Your primary care provider or nephrologist has likely checked for protein in your urine. Protein in the urine is an indicator of decline in kidney health.