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Microalbumin

Urine Analysis Biomarker

Sample Needed

Collection Type: Urine

Body System

Related System: Urine Analysis

Overview

Microalbumin refers to small amounts of the blood protein albumin in urine that are below the detection limit of routine dipstick tests but detectable by sensitive assays. The test typically measures urine albumin excretion either as a spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or as total albumin excreted over 24 hours. Elevated microalbumin (moderately increased albuminuria) is an early marker of kidney damage, especially diabetic nephropathy and hypertensive kidney disease, and signals increased cardiovascular risk. Symptoms are often absent early; testing is prompted by diabetes, hypertension, or family history of kidney disease. Results can vary with age, sex (creatinine differences), hydration, exercise, infection, and pregnancy.

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Test Preparation

Collect a First morning/Random urine sample in a sealed and sterile screw-capped container provided by our sample collection professional
Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed
Blood contaminated and highly turbid samples are not acceptable
(First morning sample is preferred)

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: Urine Analysis (often reported as Urine ACR or urine albumin).
Symptoms/indications: diabetes, high blood pressure, swelling, or routine screening in at-risk patients.
Diagnoses/monitoring: early kidney damage, diabetic nephropathy, chronic kidney disease progression, cardiovascular risk stratification.
Reasons for abnormal levels: glomerular damage, inflammation, infection, orthostatic proteinuria, recent exercise, fever, pregnancy.
Biological meaning: increased urinary albumin reflects increased glomerular permeability and endothelial dysfunction.
Lifestyle/family: poor glycemic control, uncontrolled hypertension, smoking, high-salt diet, NSAID use; family history of kidney disease increases need for testing.

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Understanding Test Results

Normal: ACR <30 mg/g (<3 mg/mmol) or <30 mg/day low risk of kidney damage.
Moderately increased (microalbuminuria): ACR 30–300 mg/g (3–30 mg/mmol) or 30–300 mg/day early kidney damage; commonly seen in early diabetic nephropathy or hypertensive renal injury and associated with higher cardiovascular risk.
Repeat testing and tighter control of blood glucose and blood pressure are indicated.
Severely increased (macroalbuminuria): ACR >300 mg/g (>30 mg/mmol) or >300 mg/day established significant proteinuria suggesting more advanced glomerular disease or progressive chronic kidney disease; requires prompt nephrology evaluation.
Transient elevations can occur with urinary tract infection, vigorous exercise, fever, dehydration, menstruation, or recent heavy protein intake; low/undetectable values are not clinically concerning.
Persistently raised values on two of three tests over 3–6 months confirm abnormality.

Normal Range

<30 mg/day OR <30 mg/g creatinine (ACR) OR <3 mg/mmol

FAQs

Q: What is a urine analysis test used for?

A: A urine analysis evaluates urine appearance, concentration and content to detect urinary tract infections, kidney disease, metabolic conditions (for example diabetes), liver problems and dehydration. It checks for blood, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin and bacteria, helping diagnose symptom causes, screen during routine exams, monitor chronic conditions and treatment effectiveness, and detect certain medications or substances.

Q: What does the microalbuminuria test detect?

A: A microalbuminuria test detects small amounts of the blood protein albumin in urine that are below levels picked up by standard dipstick tests (typically 30–300 mg/day, or ACR 30–300 mg/g). It indicates early kidney damage—especially from diabetes or high blood pressure—and signals increased risk for progression of kidney disease and cardiovascular complications. ACR on a spot urine sample is commonly used.

Q: What is the normal range of microalbumin in urine?

A: Normal urine albumin (microalbumin) excretion is under 30 mg per day. On a spot test, the albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) is considered normal if <30 mg/g (<3 mg/mmol). Microalbuminuria is 30–300 mg/day (ACR 30–300 mg/g or 3–30 mg/mmol); values >300 mg/day indicate overt proteinuria. Repeat abnormal tests and interpret clinically.

Q: What diseases cause microalbuminuria?

A: Microalbuminuria is commonly caused by diabetes (diabetic nephropathy), long-standing hypertension and chronic kidney disease. Other causes include glomerulonephritis, systemic autoimmune diseases (e.g., lupus), vasculitis, preeclampsia, urinary tract infections, and conditions linked to metabolic syndrome or obesity. It can also signal increased cardiovascular risk; transient causes like fever, exercise, or dehydration may raise urinary albumin.

Q: What does it mean if microalbumin levels are high?

A: High microalbumin (microalbuminuria) means small amounts of albumin are appearing in the urine an early sign of kidney damage, often due to diabetes or high blood pressure. It increases risk of progressive kidney and cardiovascular disease. Doctors usually repeat an albumin-to-creatinine ratio, check glucose and blood pressure, and recommend tighter blood-sugar and blood-pressure control, medications, and lifestyle changes.

Q: How can microalbuminuria be treated or prevented?

A: Treating and preventing microalbuminuria focuses on tight blood glucose and blood pressure control (often with ACE inhibitors or ARBs), lipid management, weight loss, regular exercise, smoking cessation, and dietary measures (reduced salt and appropriate protein). Regular urine screening, treating infections, and avoiding nephrotoxic drugs (NSAIDs) also help preserve kidney function.