What is the Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine ? High and low values | Lab results explained

Test is useful for: 

– Calculating the albumin concentration per creatinine. 

– Assessing the potential for early onset of nephropathy in diabetics using random urine specimens

What is being tested?

The Albumin/Creatinine Ratio helps identify kidney disease, a complication that arises with diabetes.

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) recommends that routine urinalysis be performed annually on adults with diabetes. 

What are the two components being tested?

This test has the two components tested. 

Albumin is a protein that is present in high concentrations in the blood. Virtually no albumin is present in the urine when the kidneys are functioning normally. Albumin may be detected even in the very early stages of kidney disease, which makes it a very reliable test. \

Creatinine is normally released into urine at a constant rate and its level in the urine is an indication of the urine concentration. This allows creatinine to be measured correctly in this test.

Besides kidney disease, what else is being screened for?

The Albumin/Creatinine Ratio is used to screen people with chronic conditions such as: 

– diabetes

– high blood pressure, which puts these people at an increased risk of developing kidney disease. 

By doing this test, an individual in the very early stages of kidney disease can be identified. This is useful for the doctor or healthcare provider to adjust treatment accordingly. 

Why is that screening important?

Controlling diabetes and hypertension by maintaining tight glycemic control and reducing blood pressure helps in delaying or preventing the progression of kidney disease.

The prognostic value of consistently elevated albumin levels is particularly well established in diabetic patients.

More on proteins in plasma and urine and the kidney:

Albumin accounts for approximately 50% of the protein in plasma.

The kidney works to prevent the loss of albumin into the urine through active resorption, but a small amount of albumin can be measured in urine of individuals with normal renal function.

What is renal disease?

Renal disease is a common microvascular complication of diabetes. Without specific interventions, 80% of type I diabetics with repeatedly elevated albumin levels will go on to end-stage renal disease. Twenty percent to 40% of type II diabetics with sustained albuminuria will progress to overt nephropathy.

Note on testing intervals:

According to the American Diabetes Association and National Kidney Foundation, everyone with type 1 diabetes should get tested starting 5 years after onset of the disease and then annually, and all those with type 2 diabetes should get tested starting at the time of diagnosis and then annually. If albumin in the urine (albuminuria) is detected, it should be confirmed by retesting twice within a 3-6 month period. People with hypertension may be tested at regular intervals, with the frequency determined by their healthcare practitioner.

REFERENCES:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7810516/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/7708068/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9096972/

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19028824/

WHAT DOES IT MEAN IF YOUR ALBUMIN/CREATININE RATIO, RANDOM URINE RESULT IS TOO HIGH?

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

Common causes of protein in the urine include diabetes, hypertension and glomerulonephritis to name only a few conditions.

This test indicates that you have an abnormal amount of protein in your urine possibly caused by damage to the kidney from hypertension (or some other condition if you have one).

– If your microalbumin creatinine ratio shows albumin in your urine, you may get tested again to confirm the results. 

– If your results continue to show albumin in urine, it may mean you have early-stage kidney disease. 

– If your test results show high levels of albumin, it may mean you have kidney failure.

– If you are diagnosed with kidney disease, your health care provider will take steps to treat the disease and/or prevent further complications.

If small amounts of albumin are found in your urine, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have kidney disease. Urinary tract infections and other factors can cause albumin to show up in urine. If you have questions about your results, talk to your health care provider.

If you have diabetes, follow your healthcare practitioner’s instructions for maintaining control over your blood glucose level. Keeping high blood pressure under control is also effective in preventing kidney damage that leads to albumin in urine (albuminuria). Some studies have shown that those who have albuminuria can prevent it from worsening or may reverse it with good glycemic control and blood pressure control, or by quitting smoking.

Albumin in the urine (albuminuria) is not specific for diabetes. It may also be associated with hypertension (high blood pressure), some lipid abnormalities, and several immune disorders. Elevated results may also be caused by vigorous exercise, blood in the urine, urinary tract infection, dehydration, and some drugs.

Studies have shown that elevated levels of urinary albumin in people with diabetes or hypertension are associated with increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease (CVD). More recently, research has been focused on trying to determine if increased levels of albumin in the urine are also indicative of CVD risk in those who do not have diabetes or high blood pressure. There is currently some evidence that albuminuria is associated with an increased risk of death in adults.

Disclaimer:

Test results may vary depending on your age, gender, health history, the method used for the test, and other things. Your test results may not mean you have a problem. Ask your healthcare provider what your test results mean for you. 

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