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By Mayo Clinic staffDuring the microalbumin test, you simply need to provide a fresh urine sample. This may be done in several ways:
- 24-hour urine test. Your doctor may ask you to collect all of your urine in a special container over a 24-hour period and submit it for analysis.
- Timed urine test. Your doctor may ask you to provide a urine sample first thing in the morning or after a four-hour period of not urinating.
- Random urine test. A random urine test can be taken at any time. But to improve accuracy of the results, it's often combined with a urine test for creatinine — a waste product usually filtered by the kidneys.
The urine sample is sent to a lab for analysis. After you provide the urine sample, you can return to your usual activities immediately.
References
- Microalbumin and microalbumin/creatinine ratio. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/microalbumin. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- Kidney disease: Causes. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidneydiscauses.cfm. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- American Diabetes Association. Standards of medical care in diabetes - 2012. Diabetes Care. 2012;35(suppl):S11.
- Microalbumin, random, urine. Mayo Medical Laboratories. http://www.mayomedicallaboratories.com/test-catalog/Clinical+and+Interpretive/81260. Accessed Nov. 8, 2012.
- Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Dec. 21, 2012.
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