What is the Microalbumin (Urine) test?

The Microalbumin (Urine) test measures low levels of albumin, a protein that should normally remain in the bloodstream. When the kidney’s filtering units (glomeruli) are damaged, small amounts of albumin begin to leak into the urine.

This test is designed to detect early-stage kidney damage, often before changes are seen in blood kidney markers such as creatinine or eGFR. It is more sensitive than standard urine protein testing and is commonly used as an early warning marker.

Microalbumin testing is a key tool in preventive kidney and cardiovascular care.

Why do I need a Microalbumin (Urine) test?

Early kidney damage is often silent and may progress without symptoms. Testing allows early intervention to slow or prevent progression.

You may need this test if you:

• Have diabetes

• Have high blood pressure

• Have cardiovascular disease

• Have a family history of kidney disease

• Have metabolic syndrome

• Are monitoring known kidney impairment

• Have abnormal blood sugar or blood pressure control

• Want proactive kidney health screening

The test helps identify kidney stress at a stage where changes may still be reversible.

Benefits of the test

1. Detects early kidney damage
   Identifies changes before symptoms appear.

2. Essential in diabetes monitoring
   Standard screening for diabetic kidney disease.

3. Supports blood pressure management
   Detects kidney effects of hypertension.

4. More sensitive than standard urine protein tests
   Identifies low-level albumin leakage.

5. Non-invasive testing
   Requires only a urine sample.

6. Useful for long-term monitoring
   Tracks kidney health over time.

7. Improves cardiovascular risk assessment
   Albuminuria is linked to heart risk.

8. Widely recommended in clinical guidelines
   Core kidney screening marker.

Step-by-step: How we offer testing

Clinic-based testing (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic

• Provide a urine sample

• Sample sent to the laboratory

• Results are issued once analysis is complete

Home or hotel collection (+£60, UK-wide)

• Urine collection kit provided

• Sample collected at home or hotel

• Sample returned for laboratory analysis

Your results explained

Normal

• No significant albumin detected

• UK standard (typical): <20 mg/L

• Suggests normal kidney filtration

Moderately increased (microalbuminuria)

• Small amount of albumin present

• UK standard (typical): 20–200 mg/L

• Indicates early kidney damage

High (macroalbuminuria)

• Significant albumin leakage

• UK standard: >200 mg/L

• Suggests more advanced kidney involvement

Results may also be reported as an albumin/creatinine ratio for improved accuracy.