Urine albumin to creatinine ratio

Below 3 mg/mmol is typical; 3 to 30 and above 30 are the bands UK labs print.

The ACR measures the small protein albumin in urine relative to creatinine, which corrects for how dilute the sample is. It picks up tiny amounts of protein leak long before a dipstick would.

It is the standard UK check for early kidney damage in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, and part of every kidney review.

• Diabetes and high blood pressure affecting the kidney filters
• Many kidney conditions
• A urine infection or menstrual blood in the sample
• Fever, heavy exercise or standing for long periods on the day
• Heart failure

• Medicines as a class that protect the kidney filters lower it
• Very dilute urine can push it down slightly

• A first-morning sample is preferred because exercise and standing raise it during the day
• Infection or a period contaminates it
• One raised value is usually repeated before a doctor draws any conclusion

Early-morning sample where possible. A single result is repeated; the pattern over months is what matters.

Written by a UK consultant physician. Typical UK adult reference ranges; your laboratory's own printed range takes precedence.