Microalbumin/Creatinine ratio panel, urine

MICROALBUMIN/CREATININE RATIO PANEL,SPOT

Chemistry

Microalbumin
Creatinine
Microalbumin/Creatine ratio

Random urine

2 mL

Refrigerate

Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C or colder): 1 month

Daily

TAT 1 day

Random urine albumin is useful as a screening test. Results should be verified in 3-12 months with at least one 24 hour microalbumin measurement before any medical decisions are made.

Test	Reference range	Units
Microalbumin	Not established	mg/dL
Creatinine	Not established	mg/dL
Microalbumin/Creatine Ratio	0 - 29.9	mg/G

Creatinine is the end-product of Creatine Metabolism. Creatine is present primarily in muscle and the amount of Creatinine produced is related to total skeletal muscle mass. Daily Creatinine production is fairly constant, except when there is massive injury to muscle. The kidneys excrete Creatinine very efficiently and blood levels and daily urinary excretion of Creatinine fluctuates very little in healthy normal people. Since blood and daily urine excretion of Creatinine show minimal fluctuation, Creatinine excretion is useful in determining whether 24-Hour urine specimens for other analytes (e.g., Protein) have been completely and accurately collected. Microalbumin is albumin excreted in the urine and is a sensitive marker of nephropathy. It is used to screen for early renal disease in diabetic patients.