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Albumin, Random Urine With Creatinine; Albumin, 24-Hour Urine With Creatinine; Albumin, Random Urine Without Creatinine; Albumin, 24-Hour Urine Without Creatinine

Test codes: 4555, 6517, 15281, 17674

This immunoturbidimetric test detects albumin in the urine and assesses the presence of kidney damage.

Albumin excreted in the urine is a sensitive marker of nephropathy. When albumin and creatinine concentrations are measured together, the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR) can be calculated to evaluate albuminuria.

Results from this test may inform the prognosis and management of chronic kidney disease (CKD), especially at early stages. Albuminuria in CKD is associated with higher relative risk of CKD progression, cardiovascular disease, mortality (all-cause and cardiovascular), kidney failure, and acute kidney injury.1  

The immunoturbidimetric assay has been the gold standard for measuring urinary albumin excretion since 1987 and has completely replaced the urinary dipstick method.2

Random urine and 24-hour urine specimens can be tested. The 24-hour urine collection should start after the first void of the morning and include all subsequent voids up to the first void of the next morning. 

Yes. The patient should avoid exercise for 24 hours before specimen collection because it may elevate urinary albumin excretion.

Urinary tract infections, menstrual bleeding, fever, congestive heart failure, marked hyperglycemia, and marked hypertension may elevate urinary albumin excretion.1 

The Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) guidelines state that an increased albumin level (≥30 µg/mg creatinine or ≥30 mg/24 h) for more than 3 months is diagnostic of chronic kidney disease.1

Table showing interpretation of albumin values

References

  1. Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO) CKD Work Group. KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease. Kidney Int. 2024;105(4S): S117–S314.
  2. Paloheimo L, Pajari-Backas M, Pitkänen E, et al. Evaluation of an immunoturbidimetric microalbuminuria assay. J Clin Chem Clin Biochem. 1987;25:889-892. doi:10.1515/cclm.1987.25.12.889

 

This FAQ is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Test selection and interpretation, diagnosis, and patient management decisions should be based on the clinician’s education, clinical expertise, and assessment of the patient.

 

Document FAQS.115 Version: 2

Version 2: Effective 07/02/2026 to present

Version 1: Effective 12/15/2022 to 07/02/2026

Version 0: Effective 12/06/2013 to 12/15/2022

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