Microalbumin/Creatinine

CPT Code: 82043 / 82570
Order Code: Panel code: C919
Includes: Urine Albumin, Urine Creatinine, Microalbumin/Creatinine
ABN Requirement: No
Synonyms: Urine microalbumin; Albumin-to-Creatinine
Specimen: Urine
Volume: 1.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Container: Yellow Top Urine Tube (No Preservative)

Collection:

  1. Collect urine sample according to standard protocols.
  2. Transfer aliquot from a clean urine cup into a Yellow Top tube using the vacutainer transfer device included with the Yellow Top tube.
  3. Label sample according to standard protocols.

Special Instructions: Samples should not be collected after exertion, in the presence of urinary tract infection, during acute illness, immediately after surgery, or after an acute fluid load.

Transport: Store urine at 2°C to 8°C after collection and ship the same day per packaging instructions included with the provided shipping box.

Stability:

Ambient (15-25°C): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C): 6 months

Causes for Rejection: Specimens other than unpreserved urine; improper labeling; samples not stored properly; samples older than stability limits

Methodology: Immunoturbidimetric Assay

Turn Around Time: 1 to 3 days

Relative Risk Range:

Microalbumin:

RELATIVE RISK
Age Sex Low
mg/g creatinine
 Moderate
mg/g creatinine
 High
mg/g creatinine
All Ages Male <3.9 na ≥3.9
All Ages Female <7.5 na ≥7.5

In the Framingham Heart Study, it was shown that healthy individuals (defined as non-hypertensive, non-diabetic, and without prevalent CVD) with elevated microalbumin levels had approximately 3x greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease. These levels were gender-specific and noted to be ≥3.9 mg/g cr for men and ≥7.5 mg/g cr for women (1).  A persistent  microalbumin of >30 mg/g cr indicates a loss in kidney function and is used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (2). (References: 1-Arnlov et al. Circulation 2005; 112:969-975. 2-Fox et al. Nephrology 2013; 1:21.)

Clinical Significance: The urinary microalbumin/creatinine may be performed on individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hypertension, a family history of chronic kidney disease, those at intermediate (10-20%) risk for cardiovascular disease or those with known vascular disease.

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