Albumin, Urine

Alias	Microalbumin, Albumin Creatinine Ratio, Random or 24H Urine Albumin
Laboratory Section	Chemistry
Methodology	Immunoturbidimetric & Calculation Random: MALB (mg/g creatinine) = [Microalbumin (mg/L)] / [Creatinine (mg/dL)/100] 24-Hour: [MALB 24H = MALB x Urine Vol (L)]
Preferred Specimen	Urine
Transport Container	Urine Cup or 24H Collection Urine Jug
Alternative Specimen / Container
Minimum Volume	10 mL
Preparation & Collection Instructions	Routine midstream urine for random collection or entire urine collection for 24 hours (indicate whether random or 24-hour urine collection)
Handling Instructions	Screw tight and label container (make sure no urine sample leak). Place the container in the appropriate biohazard plastic bag with the requisition and take it as soon as possible to the laboratory. For 24-hour collection: Best to refrigerate urine sample during collection but do not freeze. Write starting and ending date and time of collection. Record entire volume (mL) on the container and requisition at the end of 24 hours. Take the entire collection jug or a well-mixed 10- 50mL aliquot with the requisition to the laboratory as soon as possible. Do not acidify or put any preservative.
Transport Temperature	Ambient (15 – 30 ^oC)
Specimen Stability	Ambient: 1 day Refrigerated (2 – 8 ^oC): 7 days
Laboratory Receiving Time	In-patient and ER: Monday to Sunday, 24 Hours Out-patient: Monday to Friday, 8AM to 4PM
Days & Time Performed	Monday to Sunday, 24 Hours
kRejection Criteria	• Specimen older than stability limits • Urine with preservatives • Contaminated or leaking specimen • Quantity Not Sufficient (QNS) • Unlabeled or Mislabeled specimen • No record of volume and date/time of collection
Turn Around Time	<In-patient> 8 Hours <Out-patient> 24 Hours
Reference Range	Random Collection: 0 – 29 mg/g creatinine 24-Hour Collection: 0 – 29 mg/day
Limitations	Prozone or hook effect may occur with very elevated microalbumin samples (>6000 mg/L).