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Key Information

  • Diabetes can affect the tiny filters in your kidneys over time, and you may not feel any different when changes begin.
  • An eGFR blood-test result estimates how well your kidneys are filtering your blood.
  • A urine ACR checks for albumin, a protein that may be an early sign that the kidney filters are being affected.
  • Blood pressure matters because high pressure can put extra strain on the small blood vessels and filters in your kidneys.

What Do Your Kidneys Do?

Your kidneys continually filter your blood. They remove waste and extra fluid while keeping the things your body needs.

Over time, diabetes can affect these tiny filters. Early changes may not cause you to feel any different, so tests help the team look for changes you may not be able to notice yourself.

What Do eGFR and ACR Tell Us?

The two tests answer different questions about your kidneys.

eGFR comes from a blood test and estimates how well your kidneys are filtering your blood. If it starts to fall, this can be a sign that your kidneys are not filtering as well as could be expected.

ACR is checked using a urine sample. It looks for a protein called albumin. More albumin in the urine might be an early sign that the kidney filters are being affected.

Why Is Blood Pressure Important for Your Kidneys?

Your kidneys contain many very small blood vessels. If your blood pressure stays too high, it can put extra strain on these vessels and on the kidney filters.

This is why kidney tests and blood-pressure checks are considered together as part of your diabetes care.

What Happens If the Tests Show a Change?

Finding a change can affect what happens next. This might mean keeping a closer eye on your kidney results, working with you on your blood pressure or diabetes, or sometimes using medicines that can help protect your kidneys.

The tests are not only there to show what is happening. They can help the team decide what to do about it while there is still an opportunity to act.

Further Information

For more information about diabetes, please visit the NHS website.

Last reviewed: 21 August 2026

Next review due: 21 August 2029