Biomarkers · Chemical
Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine
A microalbumin creatinine ratio urine test checks the levels of the protein albumin in your urine (pee). Abnormal amounts of this protein may be an early sign of kidney disease.
Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
UACR compares the level of the protein albumin in urine with the level of creatinine in urine. The ratio helps clinicians tell whether the body is losing albumin into the urine at an increased rate.
- Primary unit
- mg/g creat
- LOINC codes
- 9318-7
- Tests that measure Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine
- Labcorp 8, Quest Diagnostics 2
See why clinicians order the test
Clinicians most often order UACR to look for signs of kidney disease in people at high risk who have no symptoms.
Goal: Kidney function
Clinicians test people with diabetes for kidney disease every year, because diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease.
Condition: Type 2 diabetes
Clinicians may use UACR to monitor the kidneys in people who already have a kidney disease diagnosis.
Condition: Chronic kidney disease
The test can also help clinicians judge how well treatment for kidney disease is working.
Condition: Chronic kidney disease
Read with companion markers
Check what can shift results
Physiology
Condition
Medicine
Prepare for the test
- Labs may ask people to avoid intense exercise before the sample, since hard exercise briefly raises urine albumin.
- Labs may ask people not to eat meat for a day before the test, because meat can affect creatinine levels.
- MedlinePlus advises asking the provider whether any medicines or supplements could affect the results.
- MedlinePlus advises telling the provider before the test about bleeding hemorrhoids or a current menstrual period.
Each statement links to the source we wrote it from. Last updated October 19, 2026.
Ranges
Compare the reference ranges labs publish with guideline targets, diagnostic cut-offs, study-based ranges and practitioner targets. Move across the rows to check a value against each range, and open a source from the legend. How to read these ranges
All 5 published ranges, with sources
Lab reference ranges
Labcorp, adults0 to 29 mg/g
Adults
Labcorp prints 30 to 300 mg/g as moderately increased and above 300 as severely increased.
Labcorp test menu, Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine (140285), 2026
Diagnostic cut-offs
KDIGO 2024 category A1below 30 mg/g
Adults
Normal to mildly increased: below 30 mg/g (below 3 mg/mmol).
KDIGO 2024 category A230 to 300 mg/g
Adults
Moderately increased: 30 to 300 mg/g (3 to 30 mg/mmol).
KDIGO 2024 category A3300 mg/g and above
Adults
Severely increased: above 300 mg/g (above 30 mg/mmol).
NICE NG203 clinically important proteinuria30 mg/g and above
Adults
Published as a confirmed ACR of 3 mg/mmol or more; KDIGO pairs 3 mg/mmol with 30 mg/g.
Tests
Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.
Labcorp 8 tests
Panels that include this biomarker
Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine 140285
3 analytes · Urine · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Albumin: immunoturbidimetric; Creatinine: kinetic
- Collection
- Collect random urine without preservatives; pH must be 4 to 8.
- Reference notes
- • Normal: 0−29 mg/g creatinine • Moderately increased: 30−300 mg/g creatinine • Severely increased: >300 mg/g creatinine
Kidney Profile 140301
5 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Creatinine: kinetic jaffe; Albumin: immunoturbidimetric
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
eGFR Creatinine-Cystatin C Calculation With Albumin:Creatinine Ratio, Urine 121054
6 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 2 - 5 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Creatinine: Kinetic Jaffe Cystatin C: Turbidimetric (directly traceable to ERM-DA471/IFCC, the international standard reference material) Albumin: Immunoturbidimetric
- Collection
- If green-top (heparin) tube is used, separate plasma from red blood cells and transfer plasma to a transfer tube. Collect random urine without preservatives. pH must be 4-8.
eGFR Creatinine-Cystatin C Calculation With Albumin:Creatinine-Protein:Creatinine Ratios, Urine 121065
8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 2 - 5 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Creatinine: Kinetic Jaffe Cystatin C: Turbidimetric (directly traceable to ERM-DA471/IFCC, the international standard reference material) Albumin: Immunoturbidimetric Protein and Creatinine, Random Urine: Spectrophotometric
- Collection
- If green-top (heparin) tube is used, separate plasma from red blood cells and transfer plasma to a transfer tube. Collect random urine without preservatives. pH must be 4-8.
Diabetes Comorbidity Assessment 023400
11 analytes · Serum · No fasting · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Lipid Profile With Non‐HDL Cholesterol: See individual tests. Kidney Profile ‐ creatinine: kinetic jaffe. Albumin: immunoturbidimetric
- Preparation
- Patient should be on a stable diet, ideally for two to three weeks prior to collection of blood. Fasting is not necessary for this profile, however fasting for 12 to 14 hours prior to collection of the specimen is recommended where the triglyceride value provides a priori diagnostic information such as screening for familial hypercholesterolemia or early onset heart disease, pancreatitis, or confirming hypertriglyceridemia.
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection. Lipid panels are best avoided for up to three months following acute myocardial infarction, although cholesterol can be measured in the first 24 hours. Collect random urine without preservatives. pH must be 4 to 8.
Quest Diagnostics 2 tests
Panels that include this biomarker
Albumin, Random Urine with Creatinine 6517
3 analytes · Urine · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Colorimetric • Kinetic • Turbidimetric
- Collection
- Mix well if aliquoting Note: Exercise within 24 hours, infection, fever, congestive heart failure, marked hyperglycemia, and marked hypertension may elevate urinary albumin excretion over baseline values.
- Reference notes
- Albumin, Urine | Not established Albumin/Creat Ratio, Random Urine | <30 mg/g creat Creatinine, Random Urine ≤6 Months | 2-28 mg/dL 7-11 Months | 2-31 mg/dL 1-2 Years | 2-110 mg/dL 3-8 Years | 2-130 mg/dL 9-12 Years | 2-160 mg/dL >12 Years Male | 20-320 mg/dL >12 Years Female | 20-275 mg/dL
Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Timed Urine 92739
6 analytes · Urine · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Turbidimetric
- Collection
- Specify total volume and duration of collection on container and test requisition
- Reference notes
- Creatinine, Timed Urine Not established Albumin, Urine Not established Albumin, Excretion Rate <20 mcg/min Albumin/Creatinine Ratio <30 mcg/mg creat The ADA defines abnormalities in albumin excretion as follows: Category Result (mcg/min) Normal <20 Microalbuminuria 20-199 Clinical albuminuria ≥200 The ADA recommends that at least two of three specimens collected within a 3-6 month period be abnormal before considering a patient to be within a diagnostic category.
0 of 5 tests selected
Pick one moreGoals and conditions
We link Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.
Kidney functionGoal, primary marker
KDIGO pairs GFR with urine albumin measurement and lists urine ACR first for initial testing.
Chronic kidney diseaseCondition, ICD-10 N18.9, primary marker
KDIGO counts ACR of 30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol) or more for 3 months or more as one CKD criterion.
Type 2 diabetesCondition, ICD-10 E11.9, companion marker
ADA assesses urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio at least annually in all people with type 2 diabetes.
Sources
Check the guidelines, studies and lab catalogs behind every range and link on this page. Open a source to see each claim it backs.
Clinical guidelines
11. Chronic Kidney Disease and Risk Management: Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026
American Diabetes Association, 2026
Linked to Type 2 diabetes (companion)
ADA assesses urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio at least annually in all people with type 2 diabetes.
KDIGO 2024 Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Management of Chronic Kidney Disease
Kidney Disease: Improving Global Outcomes (KDIGO), 2024
Diagnostic cut-off: KDIGO 2024 category A1, below 30 mg/g
Population: Adults
Normal to mildly increased: below 30 mg/g (below 3 mg/mmol).
Diagnostic cut-off: KDIGO 2024 category A2, 30 to 300 mg/g
Population: Adults
Moderately increased: 30 to 300 mg/g (3 to 30 mg/mmol).
Diagnostic cut-off: KDIGO 2024 category A3, 300 mg/g and above
Population: Adults
Severely increased: above 300 mg/g (above 30 mg/mmol).
Linked to Chronic kidney disease (primary)
KDIGO counts ACR of 30 mg/g (3 mg/mmol) or more for 3 months or more as one CKD criterion.
Linked to Kidney function (primary)
KDIGO pairs GFR with urine albumin measurement and lists urine ACR first for initial testing.
Chronic kidney disease: assessment and management (NG203)
National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, 2021
Diagnostic cut-off: NICE NG203 clinically important proteinuria, 30 mg/g and above
Population: Adults
Published as a confirmed ACR of 3 mg/mmol or more; KDIGO pairs 3 mg/mmol with 30 mg/g.
Lab catalogs
Labcorp test menu, Albumin/Creatinine Ratio, Random Urine (140285)
2026
Lab reference range: Labcorp, adults, 0 to 29 mg/g
Labcorp prints 30 to 300 mg/g as moderately increased and above 300 as severely increased.
Retrieved October 16, 2026
Labcorp test menu
Labcorp
Test catalog: 8 tests, with codes, specimens, methods and reference intervals
Quest Diagnostics test menu
Quest Diagnostics
Test catalog: 2 tests, with codes, specimens, methods and reference intervals
Reference sources
Creatinine Test
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Read together with
The UACR compares urine albumin with urine creatinine to measure how much albumin is in urine more accurately.
Retrieved October 19, 2026
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) and GFR Tests
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Read together with
The urine albumin test adds context because albumin in urine may be one of the first signs of kidney disease.
Retrieved October 19, 2026
Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Before the test
MedlinePlus advises telling the provider before the test about bleeding hemorrhoids or a current menstrual period.
“If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before your test.”
Before the test
MedlinePlus advises asking the provider whether any medicines or supplements could affect the results.
“Be sure to ask if any medicines or supplements you take could affect your results.”
Before the test
Labs may ask people not to eat meat for a day before the test, because meat can affect creatinine levels.
“Meat can affect your creatine levels, so you may be asked not to eat any for a day before your test.”
Before the test
Labs may ask people to avoid intense exercise before the sample, since hard exercise briefly raises urine albumin.
“Hard exercise may increase the amount of albumin in your urine for a short time.”
Read together with
After an abnormal UACR result, clinicians usually order other kidney tests, including the eGFR blood test.
“If you have an abnormal result, your provider will usually order other kidney tests, including a blood test called an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) test.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians test people with diabetes for kidney disease every year, because diabetes is the most common cause of kidney disease.
“Because diabetes is the most common causes of kidney disease, it is important for anyone with this condition to get tested for kidney disease every year.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians most often order UACR to look for signs of kidney disease in people at high risk who have no symptoms.
“A microalbumin creatinine ratio test is most often used to look for signs of kidney disease in people who have a high risk of developing it but don't have symptoms.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians may use UACR to monitor the kidneys in people who already have a kidney disease diagnosis.
“A microalbumin creatinine ratio test may be used to monitor your kidneys if you have been diagnosed with kidney disease.”
Reasons to test
The test can also help clinicians judge how well treatment for kidney disease is working.
“It can also help your provider see how well any treatment for kidney disease is working.”
What can shift results
Hard exercise can raise the amount of albumin in urine for a short time.
“Hard exercise may increase the amount of albumin in your urine for a short time.”
What can shift results
Certain medicines and fever can cause temporary increases in urine albumin levels.
“That's because temporary increases in albumin levels may be caused by exercise, certain medicines, fever, and inflammation in the body.”
What can shift results
Other conditions that cause inflammation in the body may increase the amount of albumin found in urine.
“Other conditions that cause inflammation may increase albumin in urine, including:”
What can shift results
Muscle density, diet, age and race can also affect UACR results.
“Your test results may also be affected by your muscle density and your diet, age, and race.”
What it reflects
The ratio helps clinicians tell whether the body is losing albumin into the urine at an increased rate.
“This ratio can help your health care provider tell if your body is getting rid of albumin at an increased rate.”
What it reflects
UACR compares the level of the protein albumin in urine with the level of creatinine in urine.
“The microalbumin creatinine ratio test compares the levels of albumin in your urine to your levels of creatinine.”
Retrieved October 19, 2026
Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
The description at the top of this page
Codes and registries
LOINC 9318-7
Regenstrief Institute codes that identify the same result across labs.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine
Registered studies that measure Alb/Creat Ratio, Urine, on the U.S. National Library of Medicine registry.
Verify these ranges and sources
We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.
Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.
Spotted an error? Email hello@biomarkerlens.com with the page URL and the primary source that corrects the entry.