Urine Albumin

At a Glance

Why Get Tested?

To be screened for the early detection of kidney disease occurring as a complication of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)

When To Get Tested?

Annually after a diagnosis of diabetes or hypertension

Sample Required?

A urine sample. You will be asked to collect either an early morning or random sample of urine in which albumin and creatinine will be measured. The results are expressed as an albumin/creatinine ratio or ACR for short. The use of this ratio allows the albumin concentration to be related to the dilution of urine (as indicated by the creatinine concentration) which can depend on how much fluid you have consumed that day. ACR measurement in random urine samples has been shown to be just as good as the measurement of albumin alone in 24 hour urine samples and is much more convenient for the person being tested.

Test Preparation Needed?

None

On average it takes 7 working days for the blood test results to come back from the hospital, depending on the exact tests requested. Some specialist test results may take longer, if samples have to be sent to a reference (specialist) laboratory. The X-ray & scan results may take longer. If you are registered to use the online services of your local practice, you may be able to access your results online. Your GP practice will be able to provide specific details.

If the doctor wants to see you about the result(s), you will be offered an appointment. If you are concerned about your test results, you will need to arrange an appointment with your doctor so that all relevant information including age, ethnicity, health history, signs and symptoms, laboratory and other procedures (radiology, endoscopy, etc.), can be considered.

Lab Tests Online-UK is an educational website designed to provide patients and carers with information on laboratory tests used in medical care. We are not a laboratory and are unable to comment on an individual's health and treatment.

Reference ranges are dependent on many factors, including patient age, sex, sample population, and test method, and numeric test results can have different meanings in different laboratories.

For these reasons, you will not find reference ranges for the majority of tests described on this web site. The lab report containing your test results should include the relevant reference range for your test(s). Please consult your doctor or the laboratory that performed the test(s) to obtain the reference range if you do not have the lab report.

For more information on reference ranges, please read Reference Ranges and What They Mean.

What is being tested?

Albumin is a protein that is present in the blood. When the kidneys are working properly, only tiny amounts of albumin pass from the bloodstream into the urine. In kidney failure (the last stage of a slow process of decline in kidney function) large amounts of protein leak into the urine. A long time before this amount of damage, small changes in the kidney allow very small, but abnormal amounts of albumin to leak through, often as a result of having diabetes. Too little albumin is present to be detected by the usual simple urine test strip (sometimes called a protein dipstick). This is termed microalbuminuria because of the low but significant concentration of albumin in the urine, not because it is a smaller type of the protein. Microalbuminuria is usually simply called albuminuria.

Common Questions

How is it used?

Diabetes is a very common cause of kidney failure. Studies have shown that identifying the very early stage of kidney disease in diabetes , by demonstrating an abnormal ACR,helps treatment to be appropriately adjusted. Good control of diabetes and other conditions, such as high blood pressure, can slow down or prevent the progression of kidney disease.
When is it requested?

ACR should be requested when diabetes is first diagnosed. It is then usually measured annually or more frequently if significantly raised ACR values are found.
What does the test result mean?

A moderately increased ACR indicates an early phase of developing kidney disease. Very high values show that kidney disease is present in a more severe form. Very low values generally indicate that kidney function is normal if other tests of kidney function, e.g. the glomerular filtration rate, also show no abnormality.
Is there anything else I should know?

Recent studies have shown that in patients with Type II diabetes, an abnormal ACR result indicates an increased risk of developing heart and blood vessel disease.
Are there other reasons for having an increased urine albumin/creatinine ratio?

Yes, an increased ACR is not confined to diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure). It may also be seen with a fever, urinary tract infection, several immune disorders, dehydration, certain drugs and other conditions causing blood in the urine. Temporarily elevated results may also be caused by vigorous exercise.

Urine Albumin to Creatinine Ratio or ACR