24-Hour Urine Albumin Test
A laboratory test that measures the total amount of albumin, a type of protein, in all of the urine you collect over a full 24-hour period, helping your doctor evaluate how well your kidneys are filtering and detect early signs of kidney damage before symptoms develop.
{"This test measures how much albumin (a protein) leaks into your urine over 24 hours","It helps detect early kidney damage, especially in diabetes and hypertension patients","You will need to collect all urine produced in a 24-hour period"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 6941-9
- Short code
- UALB24
- Synonyms
- Albumin 24h Ur Elph-mRate
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- 24-hour urine collection container (plastic or glass, clean, dry)
- Units
- not specified
- Ref low
- 0
- Ref high
- 30
- Critical range
- 1.5 not specified – 300 not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- electrophoresis
- CPT
- 82043
- SNOMED
- 271571001
- Specimen volume
- Complete 24-hour collection, typically 1000-2000 mL total volume
- Stability
- Refrigerated (2-8°C): up to 5 days; Room temperature (20-25°C): up to 48 hours; Frozen (-20°C): stable for several weeks
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 24–72 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The 24-hour urine albumin test measures the amount of albumin, a type of protein, in your urine collected over a 24-hour period. Albumin is normally filtered by the kidneys and reabsorbed back into the blood. When kidney function is impaired, albumin can leak into the urine, a condition called albuminuria or proteinuria. This test uses electrophoresis, a laboratory technique that separates proteins to accurately measure albumin levels.
How is the test performed?
You will receive a special container from your healthcare provider. On the day of collection: 1) Start by urinating into the toilet when you wake up (first morning urine is not collected); 2) For the next 24 hours, collect all urine in the provided container; 3) Keep the container refrigerated or in a cool place; 4) At the end of 24 hours, urinate one last time and add this to the container; 5) Return the container to the lab as instructed. It is important to collect every urine sample during the 24-hour period for accurate results.
How to prepare for the test?
Before the test, inform your doctor about all medications you are taking, as some drugs may affect results. You may be asked to avoid certain foods or activities. Continue your normal daily activities but drink adequate water. Women should note if they are menstruating during collection, as blood in urine can affect results.
Reference range
0-30 mg/24 hrnot specified
Complete 24-hour urine collection required (discard first void, collect all subsequent including final morning void); avoid vigorous exercise for 24 h prior
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
**Early Kidney Disease Detection:** The test is highly sensitive and can detect small amounts of albumin in urine (microalbuminuria), often before noticeable symptoms appear. This is crucial for early intervention and treatment.
**Diabetes Monitoring:** For patients with diabetes, regular urine albumin testing is essential as it helps detect diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage) at an early stage, allowing for better management and prevention of progression.
**Hypertension Management:** High blood pressure can damage kidneys over time. This test helps monitor kidney function in hypertensive patients and guides treatment decisions.
**Kidney Disease Staging:** The amount of albumin in urine helps classify the stage of kidney disease and predict outcomes. Higher levels indicate more severe kidney damage.
**Treatment Response:** The test is used to monitor effectiveness of treatments for kidney disease, including medications like ACE inhibitors or ARBs that help reduce albumin loss in urine.
Frequently asked questions
What do the results mean?
Does a normal result mean my kidneys are healthy?
How often should I have this test?
What can affect the test results?
Is the 24-hour collection difficult?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy