Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood and urine
- Fasting: Not required
- Turn-around: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Early detection of kidney disease and cardiovascular complications before symptoms appear
- Comprehensive screening combining kidney function, lipid profile, and metabolic markers in one panel
- Cost-effective monitoring with bundled testing that significantly reduces individual test expenses
- Convenient access without a physician referral, enabling proactive diabetes management
- Private results delivered securely through patient portals.
Who Is This Test For?
- Adults with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes needing regular complication screening
- People with prediabetes or diabetes risk factors seeking preventive assessment
- Individuals with a family history of diabetes, kidney disease, or cardiovascular problems
- Patients experiencing diabetes symptoms such as fatigue, swelling, or poor glucose control
- Anyone wanting comprehensive diabetes health monitoring without doctor visits
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and visit any lab location for blood draw and urine sample collection
- Get tested with quick sample collection processed at CLIA-certified laboratories
- Receive results securely within 1-2 business days
FAQ
What does this test measure? Kidney function markers (microalbumin, creatinine, eGFR), complete lipid profile, and cardiovascular risk indicators.
How accurate is this test? Microalbumin testing shows 85% sensitivity and 80% specificity for detecting diabetic kidney disease (Mayo Clinic 2024).
Do I need to fast for this test? No fasting required, though fasting may improve lipid panel accuracy if ordered separately.
Can this test diagnose diabetes? No, this assesses diabetes complications. Use HbA1c or glucose testing for diabetes diagnosis.
How often should diabetics get this test? Annually for stable diabetics, every 6 months for those with complications or poor control (American Diabetes Association 2025).
What if my results are abnormal? Abnormal results should be confirmed with repeat testing and reviewed with a healthcare provider for treatment planning.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Diabetes Comorbidity Assessment evaluates key health risks and complications associated with diabetes through comprehensive laboratory screening. This multi-biomarker panel combines kidney function assessment, cardiovascular risk evaluation, and metabolic monitoring to detect early signs of diabetic complications before symptoms appear.
The test measures interconnected biomarkers including microalbumin/creatinine ratio, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and complete lipid profile. By analyzing these markers simultaneously, the assessment provides a holistic view of diabetic health status, enabling early intervention and improved outcomes (American Diabetes Association 2025).
Who would benefit from this test?
Adults with diagnosed diabetes benefit most from this comprehensive screening, particularly those with Type 1 diabetes (5+ years post-diagnosis) or newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes. The test proves valuable for individuals with diabetes risk factors, family history of complications, or cardiovascular disease.
People experiencing diabetes symptoms like persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, swelling, or difficulty managing blood sugar should consider this assessment. Additionally, health-conscious consumers seeking direct-to-consumer lab services benefit from convenient, comprehensive screening without requiring physician visits (National Kidney Foundation 2022).
When should I order Diabetes Comorbidity Assessment?
Order this test annually for routine diabetes monitoring, or every 6 months if you have established complications or poor glycemic control. Type 1 diabetics should begin screening 5 years after diagnosis, while Type 2 diabetics should be screened at diagnosis.
Consider ordering if experiencing symptoms like swelling in hands/feet/face, persistent fatigue, chest pain, shortness of breath, or elevated blood sugar levels that are difficult to manage. Avoid testing during acute illness, fever, or within 24 hours of vigorous exercise for most accurate results (Mayo Clinic 2024).
How do I interpret the results?
Albumin/Creatinine Ratio
- Normal Range: <30 mg/g
- What It Means: Normal kidney function
Microalbuminuria
- Normal Range: 30–300 mg/g
- What It Means: Early kidney disease
Macroalbuminuria
- Normal Range: >300 mg/g
- What It Means: Advanced kidney disease
eGFR
- Normal Range: >60 mL/min/1.73m²
- What It Means: Adequate kidney filtration
Total Cholesterol
- Normal Range: <200 mg/dL
- What It Means: Optimal cardiovascular health
LDL Cholesterol
- Normal Range: <100 mg/dL
- What It Means: Reduced heart disease risk
Early detection through screening reduces progression to end-stage renal disease by 30-45% over 10 years with appropriate intervention.
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.
Pre-test preparation
No fasting required for most components, though fasting may improve lipid panel accuracy. Continue usual medications unless specifically instructed otherwise by your healthcare provider. Maintain normal fluid intake, avoiding excessive hydration or dehydration before sample collection.
Avoid testing during acute illness, fever, or within 24 hours of vigorous exercise. Schedule blood draw and urine collection at certified laboratory locations. Random spot urine samples are preferred, though first morning void provides optimal microalbumin testing accuracy (American Diabetes Association 2025).
How often should I get tested?
- Stable diabetes with good control – Every 12 months
- Diabetes with complications – Every 6 months
- Poor glycemic control – Every 6 months
- eGFR decline or worsening albuminuria – Every 3–6 months
- Type 1 diabetes < 5 years – Not routinely needed
- Newly diagnosed Type 2 diabetes – At diagnosis, then annually
Why early detection matters
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure globally, with 40% of diabetic patients developing chronic kidney disease (Karger 2022). Cardiovascular complications affect 30.1% of diabetic patients, significantly increasing mortality risk and healthcare costs.
Early detection through comprehensive screening enables timely intervention, potentially preventing progression to end-stage complications. Annual healthcare costs average $38,168 per diabetic patient with dominant comorbidities versus $3,365 for those without complications, highlighting the economic importance of preventive screening (American Heart Association 2023).
Related tests you may consider
Cardio IQ® Hemoglobin A1c Blood Test - Evaluates the average amount of glucose in the blood over an extended period to help manage blood sugar levels.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) with eGFR Blood Test - Evaluates nutrient levels, liver, and kidney function.
Thyroid #1 Baseline Blood Test Panel- Evaluates healthy thyroid function and screens for thyroid disorders.
