What is the Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio test?

The Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio (ACR) test measures the amount of albumin leaking into the urine relative to creatinine concentration. Albumin is a protein that should normally remain in the bloodstream.

Even small increases in urine albumin can indicate early kidney damage, particularly in conditions affecting kidney filtration. Using the albumin-to-creatinine ratio corrects for urine concentration, making results more accurate than albumin measurement alone.

This test is a key marker for detecting early kidney disease and monitoring progression over time.

Why do I need a Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio test?

Kidney damage often develops silently and may not cause symptoms until advanced stages. ACR testing allows early detection and intervention.

You may need this test if you:

• Have diabetes
• Have high blood pressure
• Have cardiovascular disease
• Have a family history of kidney disease
• Are monitoring known kidney impairment
• Have abnormal kidney blood test results
• Require routine kidney screening
• Are at risk of metabolic syndrome

Testing helps identify kidney damage at an early, potentially reversible stage.

Benefits of the test

1. Detects early kidney damage
   Identifies microalbuminuria before symptoms appear.
2. Essential for diabetes monitoring
   Key test for diabetic kidney disease screening.
3. Supports blood pressure management
   Identifies kidney effects of hypertension.
4. More accurate than urine albumin alone
   Corrects for urine concentration variability.
5. Non-invasive testing
   Requires only a urine sample.
6. Useful for disease progression monitoring
   Tracks changes over time.
7. Improves risk stratification
   Helps assess cardiovascular and renal risk.
8. Widely recommended in clinical guidelines
   Standard 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 ACR

• Minimal albumin in urine
• UK standard (typical): <3 mg/mmol
• Suggests normal kidney filtration

Moderately increased ACR (microalbuminuria)

• Mild albumin leakage
• UK standard: 3–30 mg/mmol
• Indicates early kidney damage

Severely increased ACR (macroalbuminuria)

• Significant protein leakage
• UK standard: >30 mg/mmol
• Suggests established kidney disease

Results should be interpreted alongside blood kidney tests and clinical context.