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Specimen Collection Manual and Test Catalog

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ALBUMIN / CREATININE RATIO, URINE

Geisinger Epic Procedure Code:  LAB1539    Geisinger Epic ID:  14291

SPECIMEN COLLECTION
Specimen type: 

Random urine


Preferred collection container: 
Specimen required: 

5 mL aliquot urine; minimum 1 mL.


Special notes: 

Please do not use urine transport device (grey-top). This contains a preservative which interferes with the test. Urine collection during menses should be avoided as urine may contain excess albumin during this time.



SPECIMEN PROCESSING
Transport temperature: 

Refrigerated.


Specimen stability: 

Room temperature: 2 days. Refrigerated: 6 days. Frozen: 6 months.


Rejection criteria: 

Urine specimens containing preservatives are not acceptable.



TEST DETAILS
Interpretation guide: 
Normalless than 30 mg/g creatinine
High30-300 mg/g creatinine
Very Highgreater than 300 mg/g creatinine
Nephroticgreater than 2200 mg/g creatinine

CPT code(s):  82043, 82570
Note: The billing party has sole responsibility for CPT coding.  Any questions regarding coding should be directed to the payer being billed.
The CPT codes provided by GML are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only.

Test includes: 

Albumin - random urine; Creatinine - urine; Microalbumin ratio


Methodology: 
Enzymatic (Urine Creatinine)
Immunoturbidity (Microalbumin)
Synonyms: 

Microalbumin, MICALB


Clinical significance: 

Microalbumin is albumin secreted in the urine and is a sensitive marker of nephropathy. It is used to screen for early renal disease in diabetic patients.


Doctoral Director(s): 
Hoi-Ying Elsie Yu, PhD, DABCC, FADLM
Sheng-Ying (Margaret) Lo, PhD, DABCC
Review Date:  12/27/2024

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