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Microalbumin/Creatinine Ratio, Urine
MessageChemistry
Test Code
LAB689
Alias/See Also
Microalbumin
Preferred Specimen
5 mL random urine collected in a sterile leak-proof container
Minimum Volume
300 uL urine
Instructions
Submit 5 mL random urine in a plastic, leak-proof container. Do not use preservatives. Mix well, if aliquotting.
Vigorous exercise can cause a transient increase in albumin excretion. As a result, patients should refrain from vigorous exercise in the 24 hours prior to the test.
The accuracy of the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio will be diminished if creatinine excretion is substantially different from the expected value; this is particularly important in patients with borderline values. Albumin excretion will be underestimated in a muscular man with a high rate of creatinine excretion and overestimated in a cachectic patient in whom muscle mass and creatinine excretion are markedly reduced. The ratio also varies with gender and with race/ethnicity in the United States, as creatinine excretion is significantly higher among non-Hispanic black and Mexican American patients than among non-Hispanic white patients.
Vigorous exercise can cause a transient increase in albumin excretion. As a result, patients should refrain from vigorous exercise in the 24 hours prior to the test.
The accuracy of the urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio will be diminished if creatinine excretion is substantially different from the expected value; this is particularly important in patients with borderline values. Albumin excretion will be underestimated in a muscular man with a high rate of creatinine excretion and overestimated in a cachectic patient in whom muscle mass and creatinine excretion are markedly reduced. The ratio also varies with gender and with race/ethnicity in the United States, as creatinine excretion is significantly higher among non-Hispanic black and Mexican American patients than among non-Hispanic white patients.
Transport Temperature
Room temperature
Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 1 day
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Not recommended
Refrigerated: 7 days
Frozen: Not recommended
Reject Criteria (Eg, hemolysis? Lipemia? Thaw/Other?)
Acid preserved urine
Methodology
Turbidimetric
Setup Schedule
Everyday
Report Available
Within 8 hours
Limitations
Contamination of urine specimens with residual serum or plasma present on the surface of gloves, sample cups, caps, vial stoppers or disposable tips may result in falsely elevated urinary albumin values. Take precautionary measures to prevent contamination.
Urine samples should not be acidified.
Certain drugs and clinical conditions are known to alter urinary albumin concentration in vivo.
Urine samples should not be acidified.
Certain drugs and clinical conditions are known to alter urinary albumin concentration in vivo.
Reference Range
Category Spot Collection (ug/mg creatinine)
Normal: <30
Microalbuminuria 30-300
Clinical Albuminuria: >300
Normal: <30
Microalbuminuria 30-300
Clinical Albuminuria: >300
Performing Laboratory
Hoag Newport
