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22886 Microalbumin, Random Urine

Microalbumin, Random Urine
Test Code: MA-RU
Synonyms/Keywords
Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine​
Test Components
Albumin, Creatinine and Albumin/Creatinine Ratio​
Useful For
The urinary albumin level is an excellent predictor of progression to nephropathy in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Measurement of albumin excretion in an overnight collection of urine is generally considered the best measurement; however, 24 hour urines and random urines may also be used. In random urines, the ratio of albumin to creatinine is recommended as a marker although albumin concentration has also been used.​
Specimen Requirements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​Urine, Random​Urine 10 mL tube (no preservative)​Sage cup (no preservative)​Two 10 mL aliquots​6 mL urine​1.0 mL urine in each tube​
Collection Processing Instructions
10 mL aliquot from a morning specimen (1st or 2nd morning voiding is preferred). ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Rejection Criteria
Specimens visibly contaminated with red blood cells
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
Interference
If a technologist suspects a specimen to be contaminated with blood, either by visual inspection or results that are extremely high compared to previous sampling, routine urinalysis dipsticks may be used to screen the sample for blood.  If blood is present at a level of 3+ or more, an asterisk will be entered in the result field, and a comment will be entered instead of a result: “Unable to accurately quantitate albumin in urine due to specimen contamination with blood. Charges will be credited.”​
Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Flambeau Hospital ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Lakeview Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
Neillsville​​​Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

Ratio Albumin/Creatinine

0-12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine

Females > 12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine

Males >12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine​

Interpretation
Microalbuminuria is a reversible condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt proteinuria. It occurs in diabetic and hypertensive patients and is generally treatable by blood pressure-lowering medications. Using this therapy, progression to an irreversible state of macroalbuminuria can be prevented or delayed for a decade or more. Conventional dipstick and acid precipitation tests for detecting protein in urine lack the sensitivity required to delineate this condition. Dipsticks may yield negative results even when the albumin excretion rate is 10 or 20 times normal.   Nephelometry enables sufficient sensitivity to detect albumin at these levels.​
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82043​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine​
Test Components
Albumin, Creatinine and Albumin/Creatinine Ratio​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Centricity

​a. Microalbumin

b. Microalbumin-Rand Ur

Cerner​ Microalbumin Level Urine​
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
No​Urine, Random​Urine 10 mL tube (no preservative)​Sage cup (no preservative)​Two 10 mL aliquots​6 mL urine​1.0 mL urine in each tube​
Collection Processing
10 mL aliquot from a morning specimen (1st or 2nd morning voiding is preferred). ​
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine​ Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Rejection Criteria
Specimens visibly contaminated with red blood cells
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
Interference
If a technologist suspects a specimen to be contaminated with blood, either by visual inspection or results that are extremely high compared to previous sampling, routine urinalysis dipsticks may be used to screen the sample for blood.  If blood is present at a level of 3+ or more, an asterisk will be entered in the result field, and a comment will be entered instead of a result: “Unable to accurately quantitate albumin in urine due to specimen contamination with blood. Charges will be credited.”​
Useful For
The urinary albumin level is an excellent predictor of progression to nephropathy in both insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Measurement of albumin excretion in an overnight collection of urine is generally considered the best measurement; however, 24 hour urines and random urines may also be used. In random urines, the ratio of albumin to creatinine is recommended as a marker although albumin concentration has also been used.​
Test Components
Albumin, Creatinine and Albumin/Creatinine Ratio​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

Ratio Albumin/Creatinine

0-12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine

Females > 12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine

Males >12 years: 0-30 ug albumin/mg creatinine​

Interpretation
Microalbuminuria is a reversible condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt proteinuria. It occurs in diabetic and hypertensive patients and is generally treatable by blood pressure-lowering medications. Using this therapy, progression to an irreversible state of macroalbuminuria can be prevented or delayed for a decade or more. Conventional dipstick and acid precipitation tests for detecting protein in urine lack the sensitivity required to delineate this condition. Dipsticks may yield negative results even when the albumin excretion rate is 10 or 20 times normal.   Nephelometry enables sufficient sensitivity to detect albumin at these levels.​
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Performing Laboratory Information
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Diagnostic Treatment Center​ ​Monday through Sunday ​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Eau Claire ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Flambeau Hospital ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Lakeview Medical Center ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
Marshfield​ Monday through Friday​ 6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/The Binding Site Optilite analyzer
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
Neillsville​​​Monday through Sunday​Less than 2 hours​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
​Wausau ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours ​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82043​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.