Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine
Other names: Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine Albumin/Urine Creatinine Ratio
Test is useful for:
- Calculating the albumin concentration per creatinine.
- Assessing the potential for early onset of nephropathy in diabetics using random urine specimens
What is being tested?
The Albumin/Creatinine Ratio helps identify kidney disease, a complication that arises with diabetes.
The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that routine urinalysis be performed annually on adults with diabetes.
What are the two components being tested?
This test has the two components tested.
Albumin is a protein that is present in high concentrations in the blood. Virtually no albumin is present in the urine when the kidneys are functioning normally. Albumin may be detected even in the very early stages of kidney disease, which makes it a very reliable test.
Creatinine is normally released into urine at a constant rate and its level in the urine is an indication of the urine concentration. This allows creatinine to be measured correctly in this test.
Besides kidney disease, what else is being screened for?
The Albumin/Creatinine Ratio is used to screen people with chronic conditions such as:
- diabetes
- high blood pressure, which puts these people at an increased risk of developing kidney disease.
By doing this test, an individual in the very early stages of kidney disease can be identified. This is useful for the doctor or healthcare provider to adjust treatment accordingly.
Why is that screening important?
Controlling diabetes and hypertension by maintaining tight glycemic control and reducing blood pressure helps in delaying or preventing the progression of kidney disease.
The prognostic value of consistently elevated albumin levels is particularly well established in diabetic patients.
More on proteins in plasma and urine and the kidney:
Albumin accounts for approximately 50% of the protein in plasma.
The kidney works to prevent the loss of albumin into the urine through active resorption, but a small amount of albumin can be measured in urine of individuals with normal renal function.
What is renal disease?
Renal disease is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. Without specific interventions, 80% of type I diabetics with repeatedly elevated albumin levels will go on to end-stage renal disease. Twenty percent to 40% of type II diabetics with sustained albuminuria will progress to overt nephropathy.
Note on testing intervals:
According to the American Diabetes Association and National Kidney Foundation, everyone with type 1 diabetes should get tested starting 5 years after onset of the disease and then annually, and all those with type 2 diabetes should get tested starting at the time of diagnosis and then annually. If albumin in the urine (= albuminuria) is detected, it should be confirmed by retesting twice within a 3-6 month period. People with hypertension may be tested at regular intervals, with the frequency determined by their healthcare practitioner.
More on Albuminuria:
Albuminuria, as a marker of kidney damage, provides a more specific and sensitive measurement of glomerular permeability than does proteinuria. An Albumin/Creatinine Ratio measured from a spot urine sample acquired in the early morning is preferred for initial evaluation of albuminuria. This test can also be used to confirm a positive reagent strip urinalysis result. A moderately increased Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (≥30 mg/g) for more than 3 months is diagnostic of CKD. The severity of albuminuria is also used for staging and prognosis of CKD.
Albuminuria generally appears before the reduction of glomerular filtration rate in people with diabetic glomerulosclerosis but may appear later in people with hypertensive nephrosclerosis. Albuminuria is independently associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality. In individuals with diabetes and/or hypertension, early identification of albuminuria that prompts blood pressure and glycemic control may subsequently reduce the risk of cardiovascular events and CKD progressing to end-stage renal disease. Referral to specialist kidney care services is recommended in individuals with a consistent finding of severely increased Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (≥300 mg/g).
Factors that affect urinary Albumin/Creatinine Ratio include menstrual blood contamination, symptomatic urinary tract infections, exercise, upright posture (orthostatic proteinuria), and other conditions that increase vascular permeability (eg, septicemia). Given the pathological and physiological causes of transient albuminuria, repeating Albumin/Creatinine Ratio tests twice with early morning urine samples in the next 2 months is recommended. Albumin/Creatinine Ratio from a timed urine sample can provide a more accurate estimate of albuminuria.
The results of this test should be interpreted in the context of pertinent clinical and family history and physical examination findings.
REFERENCES:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7810516/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7708068/
What does it mean if your Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine result is too high?
Understanding Your Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio (ACR) Test
The albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) test checks for small amounts of protein (albumin) in your urine, which can be an early sign of kidney damage.
In random urine samples:
-
Normal ACR is below 17 mg/g for males and below 25 mg/g for females.
-
Microalbuminuria (early kidney damage) is indicated by values between 17–299 mg/g for males and 25–299 mg/g for females.
-
Values of 300 mg/g or higher suggest overt proteinuria, or more advanced kidney damage.
Because urine protein levels can vary naturally, a positive result is usually confirmed with a second test—preferably a first-morning or 24-hour urine sample. If results are inconsistent, a third test may be needed. If two out of three tests fall in the microalbuminuria range, this points to early kidney disease (incipient nephropathy) and may require steps to protect kidney function. This may include tight blood sugar control, blood pressure management, and medications like ACE inhibitors if suitable.
What Causes Protein in Urine?
Protein in the urine can result from:
-
Diabetes
-
High blood pressure (hypertension)
-
Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)
-
Urinary tract infections, dehydration, intense exercise, or certain medications
What Your Results Could Mean
-
Mild elevation: May indicate early-stage kidney disease, especially in people with diabetes or hypertension.
-
High elevation: May signal significant kidney damage or even kidney failure.
-
Normal result: Indicates no current sign of albumin in the urine.
However, the presence of albumin in your urine does not always mean you have kidney disease. Temporary factors like infections or heavy exercise can also affect your results.
What to Do Next
If your test shows elevated albumin:
-
Your provider may retest to confirm.
-
If confirmed, they may recommend steps to protect your kidneys: blood pressure and glucose control, lifestyle changes, and potentially medication.
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Good control of diabetes and blood pressure can help stop or even reverse early kidney damage.
-
Quit smoking, if applicable, as it can worsen kidney function.
Important Note
Even in people without diabetes or high blood pressure, elevated urinary albumin has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease and death. That’s why early detection and management are important—even if you feel fine.
If you have questions about your test results, talk with your healthcare provider to understand what they mean for your health and what steps you can take to protect your kidneys and heart.
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