Skip Ribbon Commands
Skip to main content
Sign In

22886 Microalbumin, Random Urine (U MA)

Microalbumin, Random Urine (U MA)
Test Code: MA-RU
Synonyms/Keywords
U MA, 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)​10 mL aliquot
6 mL 
1.0 mL 
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
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
Performing Laboratory Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Weston
​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 Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Ladysmith​
​Monday through Sunday
​Less than 2 hours
Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Park Falls
​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Rice Lake
​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday
6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU5800
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Neillsville​​​Monday through SundayLess than 2 hours​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension

​Stevens Point
​Monday through Sunday
​​Less than 2 hours
Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

Ratio Albumin/Creatinine

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​


​82570
Synonyms/Keywords
U MA, Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine​
Test Components
Albumin, Creatinine and Albumin/Creatinine Ratio​
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
Cerner​ Microalbumin, Random 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)​10 mL aliquot
6 mL 
1.0 mL 
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
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
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

0-30 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.​
For more information visit:
Performing Laboratory Information

Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
Weston
​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 Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Ladysmith​
​Monday through Sunday
​Less than 2 hours
Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Park Falls
​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Rice Lake
​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Marshfield​ Monday through Sunday
6-8 hours​ Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU5800
​Minocqua ​Monday through Sunday ​​Less than 2 hours Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Neillsville​​​Monday through SundayLess than 2 hours​Particle Enhanced Turbidimetric Inhibition Immunoassay (Petinia) Technique/Siemens Dimension

​Stevens Point
​Monday through Sunday
​​Less than 2 hours
Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)
Quantity Description Comments
82043​


​82570
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.