Albumin/creatinine ratio

This test is frequently performed to detect if you have kidney damage due to diabetes. Individuals who are more than 12 years of age and suffering from diabetes should take this test every year.

Those with type 1 diabetes should begin taking this test after five years of having the disease and once every year after that.

Your doctor may also order this test periodically if you have high blood pressure.

You don’t need any particular preparation for this test. However, avoid vigorous exercise before the test as this may affect your results.

Also, inform your healthcare provider if you take any vitamins, supplements and medicines (including over-the-counter and illicit medicines).

Your healthcare provider will either ask for a 24-hour urine sample or a random urine sample. A single urine sample is easier to collect than a 24-hour sample and is usually sufficient for diagnosis.

Regardless of the procedure, you will be provided with a special container for sample collection. Here is the right way to collect the sample: 

Random sample

• Wash your hands.
• Clean your genital area using sterile wipes. Women should open their labia and clean the area from front to back; men should clean the head of the penis.
• Start urinating in the bowl and collect the mid-stream urine in the container.
• Shut the container and clean your hands.

A mid-stream urine sample means you don’t collect the first and last part of the urine. This method minimises contamination of the urine sample with bacteria from your hands or from the skin around the urethra - the tube that carries urine out of your body.

24-hour sample

For the 24-hour urine sample, you will be instructed to collect all your urine in a 24-hour period. It is best to start collecting the sample in the morning. The first urine of the day is however not collected. Instead, it is noted as the beginning of the 24 hour period. Collect all the urine passed during the next 24 hours in the container provided and store the sample in a refrigerator. Return the sample container to the laboratory technician as instructed.

The test result may vary depending on your gender, age, health history and other factors.

Normal results: 

The albumin/creatinine ratio is expressed in milligrams of albumin per gram of creatinine (mg/g creatinine). The normal albumin/creatinine ratio is < 30 mg/g creatinine and is a sign of normal kidney function.

Abnormal results: 

Moderately increased albumin in the urine, in the range of 30-299 mg/g creatinine, is referred to as microalbuminuria and indicates early kidney disease. Higher levels of albumin in the urine is seen in severe kidney disease.

However, microalbuminuria can also occur due to:

• Diabetes
• Cardiovascular disease
• High blood pressure
• Urinary bleeding
• Haemoglobinuria (presence of haemoglobin, a protein found in red blood cells, in the urine)
• Myoglobinuria (presence of myoglobin, a protein found in muscles, in the urine)

Additionally, urinary infection, blood in the urine and acid-base imbalance in the blood may cause microalbuminuria.

(Read more: Microalbumin test)

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.