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🧪 What is the Microalbumin – 24-Hour Urine Test?

This test measures the total amount of albumin excreted in urine over 24 hours to assess early kidney damage, especially in diabetics and hypertensive patients.

Albumin is a protein that normally remains in the bloodstream.
Elevated levels in urine (microalbuminuria) indicate early signs of kidney damage, even before serum creatinine or eGFR changes.

❓ Why is the Test Done?

To:

Detect early kidney disease (especially in diabetes, hypertension)
Monitor patients with known chronic kidney disease (CKD)
Evaluate cardiovascular and renal risk
Guide treatment to prevent progression of nephropathy

📦 How the 24-Hour Collection Works

All urine is collected over a 24-hour period
A total albumin output (mg/24 hours) is calculated

📊 Normal Range & Interpretation

Albumin in 24-Hour Urine	Interpretation
< 30 mg/24 hr	Normal
30–300 mg/24 hr	Microalbuminuria (early damage)
> 300 mg/24 hr	Macroalbuminuria (significant damage)

Persistent levels in the 30–300 range (confirmed in ≥2 of 3 tests) indicate incipient nephropathy.

📈 Interpretation of Results

Albumin Level	Implication
< 30 mg/24hr	Normal kidney function
30–300 mg/24hr	Early diabetic/hypertensive nephropathy
> 300 mg/24hr	Advanced renal damage; possible proteinuria

🧠 Associated Organs & Conditions

System/Organ	Conditions
Kidneys	Diabetic nephropathy, hypertensive nephrosclerosis, CKD
Endocrine	Diabetes mellitus
Cardiovascular	Heart disease risk (strongly associated)
Others	Preeclampsia, lupus nephritis, glomerulonephritis

🔄 Related / Follow-Up Tests

Serum Creatinine and eGFR – kidney function
Urinalysis (routine) – for protein, RBCs, casts
Spot Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) – for monitoring
Blood Pressure Monitoring
HbA1c – diabetes control
Lipid Profile – cardiovascular risk

✅ Fasting Required?

Test	Fasting Required
Microalbumin 24-Hour	❌ No

Important instructions:
✔ Avoid intense physical activity
✔ Avoid sample collection during fever, menstruation, or UTI
✔ Follow exact timing and complete the 24-hour collection accurately

📝 Summary Table

Parameter	Details
What	Measures total urinary albumin over 24 hours
Why	Detect early kidney damage in diabetes/hypertension
Normal Range	< 30 mg/24 hr
Microalbuminuria	30–300 mg/24 hr – early kidney disease
Macroalbuminuria	> 300 mg/24 hr – advanced nephropathy
Associated Conditions	CKD, diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular risk
Follow-up Tests	ACR, creatinine, eGFR, HbA1c, BP, lipid profile
Fasting Required	❌ No

Microalbumin 24 hours