Diabetes Mellitus, either type I or II, is a health condition that affects the necessary kidney function essential for living.

In each kidney there are thousands of tiny microfilters that are responsible for keeping the balance between water, minerals, acids, bases, toxins and nutrients for proper body function.  Also, kidneys produce hormones that aid in the production of red blood cells to maintain hemoglobin levels and other substances that keep the bones in optimal conditions.

These microfilters act as strainers where, due to each one’s pores, they retain or filter normal or excessive quantities of red blood cells. The presence of small amounts of a type of protein called albumin in urine can be the start of kidney disease. When diabetes – and arterial hypertension – cause kidney damage, pores are enlarged and permit the passage or large quantities of red cells in urine. Progressively, the microfilters and pores get blocked and are unable to perform their required normal functions.

Due to this blockage of the microfilters, toxic substances can get retained and cause damage to the human body. Also, anemia can develop and bone deterioration could follow. The microfilter’s global functions are known as renal function. There are clinical laboratory tests that can detect if the microfilters are working well. The two tests that are used to evaluate renal function are serum creatinine, that measures the kidney’s function, and albumin found in urine.  After getting the results from these tests, the kidney’s filtering capacity can be detected and can show if further treatment may be needed.

It is always recommended to ask your doctor to inform you in which functional stage your kidneys are.  An early detection of kidney disease, in most cases, can help avoid deterioration of renal function and the chances of requiring dialysis.