Quick Facts
- Sample: Serum and random urine
- Fasting: Fasting not required; maintain a stable diet for 2–3 weeks before testing. If triglyceride results are needed for certain diagnostic purposes, fast for 12–14 hours before collection.
- Turnaround: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
What This Panel Evaluates
The Diabetes Comorbidity Assessment panel evaluates kidney function and lipid- or cardiovascular-related markers using both urine and serum testing. Kidney-related markers, including urine albumin, urine creatinine, the Alb/Creat Ratio, serum creatinine, and eGFR, reflect how well your kidneys are filtering waste and handling protein. Lipid and cardiovascular markers, including total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, non-HDL cholesterol, VLDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, reflect how fats are balanced in your blood.
Together, these two categories of markers may offer complementary information for people managing diabetes related health, since kidney function and lipid balance are often monitored alongside glucose-related testing. This panel does not include glucose, HbA1c, insulin, or other glycemic markers, and it does not independently diagnose diabetes, kidney disease, or cardiovascular disease.
What's Included in This Panel
Kidney-Related Markers
- Albumin, Urine: Measures the amount of albumin in a random urine sample.
- Creatinine, Urine: Measures creatinine level in the same urine sample.
- Alb/Creat Ratio: A calculated ratio comparing urine albumin to urine creatinine.
- Creatinine: Measures creatinine level in serum.
- eGFR: A calculated estimate of kidney filtration rate based on creatinine.
Lipid and Cardiovascular Markers
- Cholesterol, Total: Measures total cholesterol in the blood.
- HDL Cholesterol: Measures high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- LDL Chol Calc (NIH): A calculated estimate of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
- Non HDL Cholesterol: A calculated value representing cholesterol carried outside HDL particles.
- Triglycerides: Measures triglyceride levels in the blood.
- VLDL Cholesterol Cal: A calculated estimate of very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol.
Benefits
- Evaluates kidney function alongside cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
- Combines urine and serum testing in a single panel.
- Reflects both kidney filtration and lipid balance together.
- Supports ongoing monitoring of diabetes related kidney and cardiovascular markers.
- Provides calculated values like eGFR and Alb/Creat Ratio alongside direct measurements.
Who Is This Panel For?
- People with diabetes wanting insight into kidney and cholesterol markers.
- Individuals monitoring kidney function alongside lipid levels over time.
- People interested in tracking cardiovascular-related markers as part of diabetes care.
- Individuals working with a healthcare provider on diabetes related monitoring.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. Do I need to fast or prepare for this panel?
Fasting is not required for this panel. However, if you need triglyceride results for diagnosing conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, early heart disease, pancreatitis, or hypertriglyceridemia, a 12- to 14-hour fast is recommended. You should also maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks before your test.
2. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available within 1 to 2 days. Turnaround may take longer due to weather, holidays, or laboratory delays.
3. What can this panel tell me?
Combining urine and serum testing, this panel gives you insight into two areas often monitored together: how well your kidneys are filtering waste, and how your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are balanced. Kidney related markers reflect filtration and protein handling, while lipid and cardiovascular markers reflect fat metabolism in the blood. Reviewing both categories together may offer a broader view of these aspects of your health, though this panel does not provide a complete diabetes evaluation.
4. What factors can affect my results?
Diet in the weeks leading up to your test can influence your results, so a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks beforehand is recommended. Whether you have fasted may particularly affect triglyceride levels, since a 12 to 14 hour fast is recommended when these results are needed for certain diagnostic purposes. Other lifestyle or medication factors are not addressed in this panel's preparation guidance.
5. How do I interpret results across the panel?
Kidney-related markers and lipid or cardiovascular markers reflect different aspects of your health, so they should not be expected to move in the same direction. Urine albumin, urine creatinine, and the Alb/Creat Ratio relate to kidney filtration and protein handling, while eGFR estimates how well your kidneys are filtering blood. Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, non HDL cholesterol, VLDL, and triglycerides relate to fat metabolism and cardiovascular health instead. An abnormal result in one category does not define the meaning of the whole panel, and a normal result elsewhere does not cancel it out. Discussing your full results with a qualified healthcare provider can help put individual markers into context.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if one or more results are abnormal?
Reviewing abnormal results with a qualified healthcare provider is recommended so they can be considered alongside your full panel and clinical history. One abnormal marker does not by itself confirm a specific kidney or cardiovascular condition, and additional evaluation may be considered based on your provider's assessment. This panel does not diagnose disease or determine treatment on its own.
Pre-test preparation
Maintain a stable diet for 2 to 3 weeks before your test. Fasting is not required for this panel. However, if you need triglyceride results for diagnosing conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia, early heart disease, pancreatitis, or hypertriglyceridemia, fast for 12 to 14 hours beforehand. Specimens are collected as serum and random urine.
