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Test Code A_CR Albumin/Creatinine Ratio


Specimen Required


Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see:

ALBR / Albumin, Random, Urine

RALB / Albumin, Random, Urine.


Useful For

Calculating the albumin concentration per creatinine

 

Assessing the potential for early onset of nephropathy in diabetic patients using random urine specimens

Method Name

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see:

ALBR / Albumin, Random, Urine

RALB / Albumin, Random, Urine.

 

Calculation

Reporting Name

Albumin/Creatinine Ratio

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 7 days
  Ambient  7 days
  Frozen  7 days

Reference Values

Only orderable as part of a profile. For more information see:

ALBR / Albumin, Random, Urine

RALB / Albumin, Random, Urine.

 

Males: <17 mg/g creatinine

Females: <25 mg/g creatinine

Interpretation

In random urine specimens, normal urinary albumin excretion is below 17 mg/g creatinine for males and below 25 mg/g creatinine for females.(3)

 

Microalbuminuria is defined as an albumin:creatinine ratio of 17 to 299 for males and 25 to 299 for females.

 

A ratio of albumin:creatinine of 300 or higher is indicative of overt proteinuria.

 

Due to biologic variability, positive results should be confirmed by a second, first-morning random or 24-hour timed urine specimen. If there is discrepancy, a third specimen is recommended. When 2 out of 3 results are in the microalbuminuria range, this is evidence for incipient nephropathy and warrants increased efforts at glucose control, blood pressure control, and institution of therapy with an angiotensin-converting-enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (if the patient can tolerate it).

Clinical Reference

1. Bennett PH, Haffner S, Kasiske BL, et al: Screening and management of microalbuminuria in patients with diabetes mellitus: recommendations to the Scientific Advisory Board of the National Kidney Foundation from an ad hoc committee of the Council on Diabetes Mellitus of the National Kidney Foundation. Am J Kidney Dis. 1995 Jan;25:107-112. doi: 10.1016/0272-6386(95)90636-3

2. Krolewski AS, Laffel LM, Krolewski M, Quinn M, Warram JH: Glycosylated hemoglobin and the risk of microalbuminuria in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. N Engl J Med. 1995 May 11;332:1251-1255. doi: 10.1056/NEJM199505113321902

3. Zelmanovitz T, Gross JL, Oliveira JR, Paggi A, Tatsch M, Azevedo MJ: The receiver operating characteristics curve in the evaluation of a random urine specimen as a screening test for diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes Care. 1997 April;20:516-519. doi: 10.2337/diacare.20.4.516

4. Miller GW, Bruns DE, Hortin GL, et al: Current issues in measurement and reporting of urinary albumin excretion. Clin Chem. 2009 Jan;55:1(24-38). doi: 10.1373/clinchem.2008.106567

Lamb EJ, Jones GRD: Kidney functions tests. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018:480-488

6. Sacks DB: Diabetes mellitus. In: Rifai N, Horvath AR, Wittwer CT, eds. Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry and Molecular Diagnostics. 6th ed. In: Elsevier; 2018:1197-1199

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday

Report Available

1 day

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

Not Applicable

LOINC Code Information

Test ID Test Order Name Order LOINC Value
A_CR Albumin/Creatinine Ratio 9318-7

 

Result ID Test Result Name Result LOINC Value
A_CR Albumin/Creatinine Ratio 9318-7