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Urine ACR: An Early Signal of Kidney Strain
All NiaHealth tests are processed in Canadian-certified labs, which are highly trusted by the medical community for their accuracy and reliability. Blood and urine samples are collected by licensed medical professionals and processed using state-of-the-art equipment. NiaHealth is SOC2 Type 2 certified.
What is it?
The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) test is a diagnostic tool used to assess kidney function and detect signs of kidney damage, particularly related to conditions like diabetes and high blood pressure. Here's how it works:
- Urine Albumin: Albumin is a protein normally found in the blood. When the kidneys are functioning well, they filter out waste products like creatinine but retain proteins like albumin. However, if the kidneys are damaged, they may start leaking albumin into the urine.
- Creatinine: Creatinine is a waste product produced by muscles. It's filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and excreted in urine at a relatively constant rate. Measuring creatinine levels in urine helps standardize the ACR test.
- Ratio Calculation: The ACR test measures the amount of albumin compared to the amount of creatinine in a urine sample. This ratio is expressed as milligrams of albumin per mmol of creatinine (mg/mmol).
Why it matters
Getting regular urine ACR tests can be important for individuals with risk factors for kidney disease to detect problems early and manage them effectively.
Reference ranges
Normal ACR values are typically less than 3mg/mmol(30 mg/g). Higher values indicate increased albumin levels in the urine, which can be a sign of kidney damage or dysfunction.
This information is educational and does not replace medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Your results should be interpreted with a qualified healthcare professional in the context of your health history.
