Microalbumin test

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What you can expect

By Mayo Clinic staff

During 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. The 24-hour urine test provides the most accurate microalbumin results.
  • 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 urine sample provided at a random time is usually adequate if both microalbumin and creatinine — a waste product usually filtered by the kidneys — are measured.

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
  1. Microalbumin and microalbumin/creatinine ratio. American Association for Clinical Chemistry. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/microalbumin/multiprint.html. Accessed June 7, 2010.
  2. McCulloch DK. Overview of medical care in adults with diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2010.
  3. Rose BD, et al. Microalbuminuria and cardiovascular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed June 2, 2010.
  4. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your kidneys healthy. National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse (NDIC). http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_kidneys/. Accessed June 7, 2010.
  5. Diabetes, kidney and cardiovascular disease. American Heart Association. http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=3044857. Accessed June 7, 2010.
  6. Israni AK, et al. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: Clearance, urinalysis, and kidney biopsy. In: Brenner BM, et al. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008:724.
  7. Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/kidney-disease-nephropathy.html. Accessed June 8, 2010.
MY00143 July 31, 2010

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