Your kidneys play a crucial role in filtering your blood, keeping essential nutrients inside while removing waste. A key indicator of kidney health is the urine albumin-creatinine ratio (uACR), a simple test that checks for the presence of albumin (a type of protein) in your urine. When kidneys function properly, they prevent significant protein loss. If albumin appears in urine, it may be an early warning sign of kidney disease.*

What the uACR Test Measures

The uACR test detects how much albumin is present in your urine relative to creatinine, a waste product from muscle metabolism. This helps assess kidney function and detect early damage.

• Normal range. Less than 30 mg/g of albumin in urine is considered normal.
• Abnormal results. A reading of 30 mg/g or higher could indicate kidney disease, even if other kidney function tests seem normal.
• Additional testing. If your results are elevated, healthcare providers will recheck your uACR levels over several months, and may order imaging tests or a kidney biopsy to evaluate the damage.

Steps to Reduce Albumin in Urine

A high uACR may suggest kidney damage, but steps can be taken to slow progression. These can include:

• Medication. ACE inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) help protect kidney function, even in those with normal blood pressure.
• Dietary changes. Your doctor and renal dietitian may recommend reducing your salt intake to help manage your blood pressure. Reducing your phosphorus, potassium, and protein intake may also become part of your CKD management regimen.
• Lifestyle adjustments. Managing diabetes, controlling blood pressure, and avoiding smoking can all help protect kidney function.

Long-Term Kidney Care

Regular monitoring and healthy habits can preserve kidney function:

• Annual kidney function tests. Routine checks of uACR and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) help detect early issues.
• Avoid harmful substances. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), contrast dyes, and certain medications and supplements may worsen kidney damage.
• Healthy diet and weight management. Eating a balanced diet and maintaining a healthy weight support overall kidney health. Continue working with your renal dietitian to adjust meal plans to match your changing goals.

By staying proactive with routine screenings and lifestyle changes, those at risk for kidney disease can take control of their health and reduce complications.

*National Kidney Foundation. (n.d.). Kidney Failure Risk Factor: Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio (uACR). https://www.kidney.org/kidney-failure-risk-factor-urine-albumin-creatinine-ratio-uacr 

Responsum Health closely vets all sources to ensure that we always provide you with high-quality, reliable information. We do not, however, endorse or recommend any specific providers, treatments, or products, and the use of a given source does not imply an endorsement of any provider, treatment, medication, or procedure discussed within.