LabInformationLab tests, explained

Microalbumin Urine Test in Virginia

Microalbumin Urine Test is a laboratory test you can order directly. A microalbumin urine test measures small amounts of albumin, a protein normally kept in the blood, that may leak into urine. It is most often ordered to check kidney health in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, or to assess risk of kidney and heart problems. Across Virginia, part of South, the microalbumin urine test can be ordered directly and collected at a certified site — no referral required.

Sample type
urine
Category
Liver
Turnaround
1-3 business days
Price
$118
Referral
Not required

A microalbumin urine test measures small amounts of albumin, a protein normally kept in the blood, that may leak into urine. It is most often ordered to check kidney health in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, or to assess risk of kidney and heart problems.

What it measures

  • Albumin — A protein that should stay mostly in the blood; small amounts in urine can signal early kidney changes.
  • Creatinine — A waste product used to adjust albumin levels for urine concentration.
  • Albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) — The main result, comparing albumin to creatinine in a single sample.
  • Urine albumin concentration — The raw amount of albumin in the sample, reported in milligrams per liter.

Who it is for

It is usually ordered by a primary care clinician, diabetes specialist, or kidney specialist for adults with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other kidney risk factors. It may also be used to monitor people already known to have kidney changes.

Preparation

No fasting is needed. A first-morning urine sample is often preferred, and your clinician may ask you to avoid strenuous exercise or heavy protein meals before the test.

Results and what they mean

Results are reported as a ratio, such as milligrams of albumin per gram of creatinine, and may be labeled normal, moderately increased, or severely increased. A single abnormal result is often repeated to confirm it. Only a clinician can interpret your results in context; this is general information, not medical advice.

Requesting the Microalbumin Urine Test in Virginia

Order online, choose a certified collection site in Virginia, and review results through a secure portal. No referral is required, and orders are processed confidentially. Access across South is expanding, so confirming a site ahead of time is worthwhile.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to collect urine for 24 hours?

Often no. A single urine sample, usually first thing in the morning, is commonly used. Sometimes a 24-hour collection is requested.

What does 'microalbumin' mean?

It means albumin is present in amounts too small for a standard urine dipstick to detect, but still above the normal range.

Can exercise or illness affect the result?

Yes. Strenuous exercise, fever, urinary infection, and high blood sugar can raise urine albumin temporarily, so testing may be repeated.

How often should this test be done?

For people with diabetes or high blood pressure, it is often checked once a year, but your clinician will decide the right schedule for you.

Microalbumin Urine Test by city in Virginia

All testing in Virginia →   Full Microalbumin Urine Test guide →