2. Diabetes: Not Just About Sugar Levels
The link between diabetes and proteinuria is under-discussed, overshadowed by concerns about blood sugar and insulin levels. In essence, elevated sugar levels can unleash havoc on various organs, including kidneys. Imagine your blood vessels like pipes. Sugar is like the sediment that clogs them, affecting kidney function and subsequently causing proteinuria.
Unlike kidney disease, where the issue lies in the organ itself, diabetes attacks the organ indirectly. So, while you’re monitoring your blood glucose, your kidneys may be silently protesting by leaking protein into your urine. This insidious damage could go unnoticed until a urine test reveals proteinuria.
Then there’s the intersection of diabetes with other conditions. For instance, hypertension is often a co-conspirator in this plot against your kidneys. High blood pressure combined with high sugar is like throwing gasoline on a fire, escalating the risk of kidney damage and proteinuria.
It’s not all doom and gloom, though. Some diabetic patients who manage their blood sugar and blood pressure well can control or even reverse proteinuria. Medications, such as angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, often help reduce protein loss in urine, especially for diabetics.
Perhaps you’re thinking of proteinuria as a late-stage consequence of diabetes. But here’s the thing: proteinuria can sometimes manifest early in the diabetes journey, even before you’re officially diagnosed. This makes it a key metric to watch in suspected diabetic patients, although it’s not often the focus. (2)
