The albumin/creatinine ratio measures the amount of albumin present in the urine. It tests for kidney disease and checks the severity of the condition.
Albumin is a protein that our body needs for tissue growth and for repairing broken tissues. Albumin is not normally found in urine, although it is present in the blood. If your kidneys are not working properly, some amount of albumin can also pass into the urine. The amount of albumin in the urine can vary at different times of the day.
Creatinine, on the other hand, is normally a waste product from muscle breakdown. It is excreted in the urine at a steady rate. The amount of creatinine present in the urine gives an idea of its normal concentration in the urine, which can act as a standard regarding the severity of albumin secretion. This test gives more accurate results about the amount of albumin present in the urine than the albumin test.
A small amount of albumin in the urine may indicate kidney disease. To treat kidney disease properly, it is necessary to test it on time so that future complications can be avoided.
Kidney failure can be caused not only by kidney diseases but also by diseases occurring in other parts of the body, such as lupus and diabetes. In lupus, the immune system starts attacking the body’s own tissues.
This test is done to check for kidney disease caused by diabetes. People whose age is more than twelve years and who are suffering from diabetes should get this test done every year.
If you have high blood pressure, your doctor may ask you to get this test done from time to time.
No special preparation is required for this test. However, do not do excessive physical exercise before the test, as this may affect the test results.
Also, tell the doctor if you are taking any vitamins, supplements, medicines, or any other addictive substances.
The doctor may ask you to collect a 24-hour urine sample or a urine sample at any time of the day. Taking samples at any time of the day is easier than taking samples 24 hours a day and is also sufficient for testing.
In this process, you will be given a special container to collect the sample. Below is the correct way to collect the sample:
A mid-stream urine sample means that you do not collect the first and last drop of urine. This way the urine sample is not at risk of contamination from bacteria on your hands or the skin around the bladder (a tube that carries urine out of the body).
To collect a 24-hour urine sample, you will need to collect a full day’s urine in one container. It is better if you start taking urine samples in the morning. All the samples for the next 24 hours are taken in a container and kept in the refrigerator. Take the container of the sample to the lab according to the instructions provided.
The results of this test may vary according to your age, gender, health status, and other factors
A normal increase is considered microalbuminuria, indicating the onset of kidney disease. High levels of albumin in the urine can be seen in severe kidney disease.
However, microalbuminuria can also be caused by:
The most common levels regarding high levels of Albumin/Creatinine ratio are :
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