What does an elevated albumin-to-creatinine ratio indicate?

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Your Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio is Normal

Your urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio of 15 mg/g is within the normal range (below 30 mg/g) and does not indicate kidney damage or disease. 1, 2

Understanding Your Results

Your test shows:

  • Albumin/Creatinine Ratio: 15 mg/g - This is normal
  • Normal range: <30 mg/g 1, 2
  • Moderately increased (abnormal): 30-299 mg/g 1, 2
  • Severely increased: ≥300 mg/g 1, 2

The creatinine measurement (132.3 mg/dL in your urine sample) serves to normalize the albumin level for variations in urine concentration due to hydration status, making this a more accurate assessment than measuring albumin alone. 1, 2

Clinical Significance

Your result indicates:

  • No evidence of albuminuria (protein leakage in urine) 1, 2
  • No early kidney damage detected 3
  • Normal glomerular filtration barrier function 4

The albumin-to-creatinine ratio is used as an early marker of kidney disease because albumin leakage into urine occurs before other signs of kidney dysfunction become apparent. 3, 4 Your normal result suggests your kidneys are filtering properly and there is no abnormal vascular permeability. 3

What This Means for Different Risk Groups

If You Have Diabetes

  • Annual screening with this test is recommended to detect early diabetic kidney disease 1, 2
  • Your normal result is reassuring, but continued annual monitoring remains important 1, 2
  • Early detection allows intervention before irreversible damage occurs 3

If You Have Hypertension

  • This test helps identify early vascular damage 3
  • Your normal result suggests no current kidney involvement from blood pressure 3
  • Maintaining blood pressure control helps keep this ratio normal 3

General Population

  • This result indicates normal kidney function from an albumin excretion standpoint 1
  • No specific intervention is needed based on this result alone 2

Important Caveats

Factors that can temporarily elevate albumin excretion (even when kidney function is normal): 1, 2

  • Exercise within 24 hours before testing
  • Active urinary tract infection or fever
  • Congestive heart failure
  • Marked hyperglycemia (very high blood sugar)
  • Menstruation
  • Severe uncontrolled hypertension

If any of these were present during your test, the result accurately reflects your baseline kidney function. 1, 2

Follow-Up Recommendations

For individuals with diabetes: Repeat this test annually 1, 2

For individuals with hypertension: Annual screening is appropriate 3

For general population without risk factors: Follow your physician's recommendations for routine health maintenance 1

No immediate action or treatment is required based on this normal result. 2

References

Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

Guideline

Use of Creatinine in Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio for Kidney Damage Assessment

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Research

Microalbuminuria: what is it? Why is it important? What should be done about it?

Journal of clinical hypertension (Greenwich, Conn.), 2001

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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