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Hi! I'm Neff, from The Kidney Experts.
Remember the leaky filter?

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Let's look at the urine
test that checks for a leak.

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Albumin is a protein.
It belongs in your blood.

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Healthy kidneys keep almost all of it in.

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But if your kidneys are hurt,
some can leak into your urine.

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So we check your urine for this leak.
The test is called the UACR.

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It compares the albumin in your urine
with creatinine, a normal waste.

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You just give a small urine sample,
often at the office or a lab.

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Why check? Early kidney disease often
has no symptoms. You can feel fine.

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A leak can be one of the first signs.

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It can show up even when
your blood test looks okay.

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One test is not the whole story.

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Hard exercise, a fever, or an infection
can raise the level for a short time.

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So we may check again to be sure.

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For eGFR, higher is better.
But for albumin, less is better.

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If you have kidney disease,
we watch this number over time.

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If it stays the same or goes down,
your treatment may be working.

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And there are steps
that can help lower it.

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Ask us when you last had this test,
and what your result means for you.

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Ask how to get ready for it, too.

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We're here to help.
Bring your questions to every visit.

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Let's take care of your kidneys together!