What is the Protein/Creatinine Ratio (Urine) test?

The Protein/Creatinine Ratio (Urine) test measures the amount of protein in urine relative to creatinine concentration. This ratio provides an accurate estimate of daily protein loss without the need for a 24-hour urine collection.

Healthy kidneys prevent significant amounts of protein from leaking into urine. When kidney filtration is impaired, protein loss increases, making this test a key marker of kidney damage.

It is widely used to assess and monitor chronic kidney disease, diabetic nephropathy, hypertension-related kidney damage, and other renal conditions.

Why do I need a test for Protein/Creatinine Ratio?

Protein loss in urine is often one of the earliest signs of kidney disease and may occur before symptoms develop. Measuring the protein/creatinine ratio helps detect kidney damage early and assess disease progression.

This test is especially useful for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, autoimmune disease, or abnormal urine findings.

You may benefit from this test if you experience or have:

• Diabetes or prediabetes

• High blood pressure

• Known kidney disease

• Foamy or cloudy urine

• Swelling of ankles, legs, or face

• Abnormal urine dipstick results

• Autoimmune or inflammatory disease

• Monitoring of kidney function over time

Benefits of the Protein/Creatinine Ratio test

1. Early detection of kidney damage
   Identifies abnormal protein loss before symptoms appear.

2. Convenient alternative to 24-hour urine testing
   Requires only a single urine sample.

3. Monitors chronic kidney disease progression
   Tracks changes in protein leakage over time.

4. Assesses diabetic kidney involvement
   Important for diabetes-related renal monitoring.

5. Supports blood pressure-related kidney assessment
   Detects damage linked to hypertension.

6. Useful in autoimmune kidney conditions
   Helps monitor glomerular disease activity.

7. Guides treatment effectiveness
   Protein reduction often reflects treatment response.

8. Non-invasive renal health assessment
   Simple urine-based testing.

Step-by-step – how we offer Protein/Creatinine Ratio testing

Clinic-based testing (UK-wide)

• Choose your nearest UK clinic

• Attend your appointment

• Provide a urine sample following instructions

• Sample is sent to the laboratory for analysis

At-home or hotel testing (+£60)

• A clinician or phlebotomist visits your home or hotel

• Urine sample collected at your location

• No clinic visit or travel required

Both services are available UK-wide.

Your Protein/Creatinine Ratio results explained

Normal protein/creatinine ratio

Normal results indicate minimal protein loss and healthy kidney filtration. This suggests preserved kidney function at the time of testing.

UK reference range:

• Normal: <15 mg/mmol

Moderately increased protein loss

Moderately raised ratios suggest early kidney damage or increased filtration pressure. This is often seen in early diabetic or hypertensive kidney disease.

Monitoring and risk factor management are usually advised.

UK reference range:

• Moderate: 15–50 mg/mmol

High protein/creatinine ratio

High ratios indicate significant protein loss and established kidney damage. This may reflect glomerular disease or advanced chronic kidney disease.

Further renal evaluation is often required.

UK reference range:

• High: >50 mg/mmol