A method for determining the levels of biomarkers, specifically, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and oxidation products (Ops) in a biological sample such as a plasma ultrafiltrate, is used to determine a patient's risk and/or rate of developing diabetes related nephropathy. The preferred biomarkers to measure include Nε-(1-carboxyethyl-lysine (CEL), methylglyoxyl-derived hydroimidazolone (MGHI) and Nε-carboxymethyllysine (CML). Also provided herein is a method of diabetic care which includes determining a diabetic patient's risk of developing diabetes related kidney disease and adjusting the patient's treatment regimen to include in addition to glucose lowering agents, additional treatments such as medications that modify the renin-angiotensin system, or specialized diets with low levels of AGEs or oxidative products.
