- Fasting and prep
- No fasting needed. A first morning sample is preferred when possible. Skip hard exercise for 24 hours before the test. Follow the instructions on your lab order.
- Turnaround
- Usually 1 to 3 days.
- Also called
- uacr, acr, microalbumin, urine microalbumin, albumin creatinine ratio, microalbumin creatinine ratio
What it measures
The lab measures albumin and creatinine in the same spot urine sample and divides one by the other. Creatinine corrects for how concentrated or dilute your urine is, so a single sample works without a 24-hour collection. Diabetes, high blood pressure, and kidney disease raise UACR. Hard exercise in the past day, fever or infection, very high blood sugar, very high blood pressure, heart failure, and periods can raise it for a short time.
Who should consider it
- Adults with type 2 diabetes (the ADA recommends testing at least once a year starting at diagnosis)
- Adults with type 1 diabetes for 5 or more years
- People with high blood pressure or chronic kidney disease
- Anyone with heart disease risk who wants a fuller picture
How to read your result
Cutoffs from the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and KDIGO: under 30 mg/g is normal, 30 to 299 mg/g is moderately increased, and 300 mg/g or more is severely increased. Labs may report in mg/mmol or use slightly different ranges, so check your report.
- Under 30 mg/g falls in the normal range by ADA and KDIGO standards. Risk still rises gradually within that range, so a stable, low number is the goal.
- The ADA advises confirming a high result: 2 of 3 samples collected over 3 to 6 months should be raised before calling it increased albuminuria.
- One high reading after exercise, illness, or a period does not prove kidney damage. Repeat the test when you are well.
- UACR and eGFR (from a metabolic panel) answer different questions. KDIGO uses both together to stage chronic kidney disease.
Reference ranges differ between labs. Use the range printed on your own report.
What to do next
Repeat a high result within 3 to 6 months. If it stays raised, see a clinician. Blood pressure control, blood sugar control, and several medicine classes can lower albuminuria and protect the kidneys and heart.
Where to order Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio
These sellers include an independent physician order. You pay online and visit a partner lab. Availability, price, and lab network vary, so confirm at checkout.
Private MD Labs
Online lab seller- Order
- Every order reviewed by a physician. Says you pay $1 to start and the rest after results.
- Results
- Secure online portal with plain-English explanations. Says many results arrive overnight.
HealthLabs
Online lab seller- Order
- Online or by phone. No doctor referral or insurance needed.
- Results
- Secure HealthLabs account. Says 1 to 3 business days.
Walk-In Lab
Online lab seller- Order
- Online, no insurance or doctor order needed. Shows a $6 physician fee per order on popular tests.
- Results
- Online account. Turnaround not stated on its homepage.
Quest Health
Lab-run- Order
- Buy online and book a Quest appointment. An independent provider is involved.
- Results
- Online as soon as ready, with an email alert. Provider discussion included at no extra cost.
Seller details come from each seller's own site and can change. Confirm price, lab location, and state availability at checkout.
Ordering several tests? Plan them together · Filter all sellers
Questions people ask
Is microalbumin the same as UACR?
Yes, in practice. "Microalbuminuria" is the older name for the 30 to 299 mg/g range. Guidelines now call it moderately increased albuminuria.
Does a standard urinalysis check for albumin?
A dipstick picks up protein only at fairly high levels. UACR detects much smaller amounts, which is why diabetes guidelines use it for screening.
Why does UACR matter for my heart?
Albumin in the urine often reflects damage to small blood vessels throughout the body. Studies link a higher UACR with higher risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart failure.
Can I order a UACR without a doctor?
Yes. Online sellers include an independent physician order. Share a high result with your own clinician, especially if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
Related tests
- Hemoglobin A1CYour average blood sugar over about three months.
- Comprehensive metabolic panel14 markers for kidneys, liver, blood sugar, and electrolytes.
- UrinalysisChecks urine for protein, sugar, blood, infection signs, and cells.
We may earn a commission if you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. This page is education, not medical advice. How we make money.