Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio - Spot Sample

Kidney

Report in 4Hrs

At Home

No Fasting Required

Details

Key marker of kidney filtration function (GFR); elevated in renal impairment.

₹499₹797

37% OFF

Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio - Spot Sample

Why is it done?
- Detects the presence of small amounts of albumin protein in urine, which may indicate early kidney damage
- Screening tool for diabetic nephropathy, particularly in patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus
- Identifies early-stage kidney disease before significant renal function decline occurs
- Monitors patients with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or chronic kidney disease
- Assesses cardiovascular risk, as microalbuminuria is a predictor of heart disease and stroke
- Typically performed during routine physical examinations for high-risk patients or as part of diabetes management protocols
Normal Range
- Normal/Negative Result: Less than 30 mg/g creatinine (or less than 3.4 mg/mmol creatinine)
- Microalbuminuria (Early Kidney Disease): 30-300 mg/g creatinine (or 3.4-34 mg/mmol creatinine)
- Macroalbuminuria (Advanced Kidney Disease): Greater than 300 mg/g creatinine (or greater than 34 mg/mmol creatinine)
- Units of Measurement: mg/g creatinine or mg/mmol creatinine (ratio normalizes albumin to urine creatinine concentration)
- Clinical Significance: Normal results indicate intact kidney filtration function. Elevated ratios suggest glomerular damage and warrant further investigation and treatment to prevent disease progression
Interpretation
- Below 30 mg/g Creatinine: Normal finding. Kidneys are effectively filtering waste while retaining necessary proteins. Patient has normal albumin excretion
- 30-300 mg/g Creatinine (Microalbuminuria): Indicates early-stage kidney damage. May suggest incipient diabetic nephropathy or early hypertensive kidney disease. Typically asymptomatic at this stage but signals need for intervention
- Greater than 300 mg/g Creatinine (Macroalbuminuria): Indicates established kidney disease with significant glomerular damage. Suggests overt diabetic nephropathy or advanced chronic kidney disease. Associated with higher risk of progression to end-stage renal disease
- Factors Affecting Results: Acute illness, fever, strenuous exercise, urinary tract infection, menstruation, and poor glycemic control can cause false elevation. Pregnancy and certain medications may also alter results
- Transient vs. Persistent Elevation: Microalbuminuria may be transient in some patients. Diagnosis typically requires two positive results within 3-6 months to confirm persistent kidney disease
- Prognostic Value: Presence of microalbuminuria predicts increased risk of cardiovascular events and mortality, even in non-diabetic patients. Guides intensity of treatment and monitoring protocols
Associated Organs
- Primary Organs Involved: Kidneys (specifically the glomeruli, which are the filtering units)
- Conditions Associated with Abnormal Results:
  - Diabetic nephropathy (primary cause in diabetic patients)
  - Hypertension and hypertensive kidney disease
  - Chronic kidney disease (various stages)
  - Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of kidney's filtering units)
  - Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with renal involvement
  - Polycystic kidney disease
  - Preeclampsia in pregnant patients
- Complications Associated with Abnormal Results:
  - Progressive decline in glomerular filtration rate (GFR)
  - End-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring dialysis or transplantation
  - Increased risk of myocardial infarction and stroke
  - Hypertension progression and cardiovascular disease
  - Electrolyte imbalances and metabolic acidosis
  - Increased mortality risk
Follow-up Tests
- Confirmatory Testing: Repeat microalbumin creatinine ratio test within 3-6 months to confirm persistent microalbuminuria before diagnosis
- Renal Function Assessment: Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) to assess overall kidney function
- Blood Pressure Monitoring: Regular blood pressure checks and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring if indicated
- Blood Glucose Control: Fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) to evaluate glycemic control in diabetic patients
- Lipid Panel: Cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides to assess cardiovascular risk
- Renal Imaging: Ultrasound or CT imaging if anatomical abnormalities are suspected
- Kidney Biopsy: May be considered if etiology is unclear or atypical presentation occurs
- Urinalysis: To check for hematuria, proteinuria, casts, and signs of infection
- Monitoring Frequency: Annual screening for at-risk patients; more frequent monitoring (every 3-6 months) if microalbuminuria is detected
Fasting Required?
- Fasting Requirement: No - Fasting is NOT required for this test
- Sample Type: Spot urine sample (random midstream collection), can be collected any time of day
- Patient Preparation:
  - No special dietary restrictions
  - Drink normal amounts of fluids before collection
  - Perform careful genital hygiene before collection to avoid contamination
  - Use midstream technique - begin urination, discard first portion, collect middle stream in sterile cup
  - Avoid collection during menstruation if possible, as blood can contaminate sample
  - Avoid strenuous exercise or intense physical activity for 24 hours before testing
  - Wait at least 3-5 days after acute illness or fever before testing for more accurate results
- Medications: No medications need to be avoided before this test. Continue taking all regular medications as prescribed, including ACE inhibitors, ARBs, and other antihypertensives
- Additional Considerations: For most accurate results, collect sample at approximately the same time of day if serial testing is being performed. First morning urine is preferred if timing flexibility exists

How our test process works!