Albumin, Urine Random

CPT Code(s):
82043

Turnaround Time:
8 hours

Specimen Requirements

Preferred Specimen:
Urine

Minimum Volume:
5.0 mL

Transport Container:
Yellow Top Urine Tube or Plastic Urine Cup

Transport Temperature:
Room Temperature

Collection Instructions:
Collect random urine without preservatives.

Rejection Criteria:
Unlabeled specimen or name discrepancy between specimen and request label; specimen in expired transport container; specimen received after prolonged delay; specimen in nonsterile or leaking container.

Stability Criteria

Room Temperature:
7 days

Refrigerated:
7 days

Frozen:
7 days

Clinical Significance

The presence of albumin in urine, known as albuminuria, can indicate underlying health conditions, particularly related to kidney function and vascular health. Here are some of the clinical significances of urine albumin:

1. **Early Marker of Kidney Damage**: Albuminuria is often one of the earliest signs of kidney damage or dysfunction. It can indicate conditions such as diabetic nephropathy (kidney disease due to diabetes), hypertensive nephropathy (kidney damage due to high blood pressure), or glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units).

2. **Diabetic Kidney Disease (Diabetic Nephropathy)**: In diabetes, high levels of blood sugar can damage the kidneys' filtering units, leading to increased urinary excretion of albumin. Monitoring urine albumin levels is crucial for detecting and managing diabetic kidney disease, which is a common complication of diabetes.

3. **Hypertension and Cardiovascular Disease**: Albuminuria is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke, independent of other risk factors. It can serve as a marker for vascular damage and endothelial dysfunction, reflecting broader cardiovascular risk beyond kidney health.

4. **Progression to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD)**: Persistent albuminuria, especially when accompanied by reduced kidney function (measured by estimated glomerular filtration rate, eGFR), is a strong predictor of progression to ESRD, where kidney function declines to the point of requiring dialysis or kidney transplantation.

5. **Preeclampsia in Pregnancy**: Elevated levels of urinary albumin can be a sign of preeclampsia, a serious complication of pregnancy characterized by high blood pressure and organ damage, including kidney dysfunction.

6. **Monitoring Treatment Response**: Changes in urine albumin levels over time can indicate the effectiveness of treatments aimed at preserving kidney function and reducing cardiovascular risk. These treatments may include medications to control blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, as well as lifestyle modifications.

Regular monitoring of urine albumin levels, typically through urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) measurements, is essential for early detection and management of kidney disease and cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated albumin levels may prompt further evaluation and interventions to prevent or delay the progression of kidney disease and reduce the risk of complications.