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Albumin-creatinine ratio test

Albumin-Creatinine Ratio Test
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What is an albumin-creatinine ratio test?

An albumin-creatinine ratio test compares the amounts of albumin and creatinine in your urine.

Albumin (say "al-BYOO-mun") is normally found in the blood. When the kidneys are damaged, small amounts of albumin leak into the urine.

Creatinine (say "kree-AT-uh-neen") is a waste product found in urine.

Why is an albumin-creatinine ratio test done?

This test helps your doctor see how well your kidneys are working. It is done most often to check the kidneys in people with diabetes. It may also be done to check people with high blood pressure, heart failure, and cirrhosis.

Doing a timed albumin-creatinine ratio urine collection

You collect your urine for a period of time, such as over 4 or 24 hours. Your doctor will give you a large container that holds about 1 gallon. A small amount of preservative may be in the container. You will use the container to collect your urine.

  • When you first get up, you empty your bladder.

    But don't save this urine. Write down the time you began.

  • For the set period of time, collect all your urine.

    Each time you urinate during this time period, collect your urine in a small, clean container. Then pour the urine into the large container. Don't touch the inside of either container with your fingers.

  • Don't get toilet paper, pubic hair, stool (feces), menstrual blood, or anything else in the urine sample.
  • Keep the collected urine in the refrigerator for the collection time.
  • Empty your bladder for the last time at or just before the end of the collection period.

    Add this urine to the large container. Then write down the time.

How do you prepare for an albumin-creatinine ratio test?

In general, you don't need to prepare before having this test. Your doctor may give you some specific instructions.

What do the results of an albumin-creatinine ratio test mean?

  • Each lab has a different range for what’s normal. Your lab report should show the range that your lab uses for each test. The normal range is just a guide. Your doctor will also look at your results based on your age, health, and other factors. A value that isn’t in the normal range may still be normal for you.
  • If your results are higher than normal, your doctor may check your urine more often to watch for kidney damage.
  • If your test shows that you may have kidney damage, other tests may be done.

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