Microalbumin/Creatinine

Cleveland Heartlab Inflammation, M, Test

NEW YORK DOH APPROVED: YES

CPT Code: 82043 / 82570
Order Code: Panel code: C919
Includes: Urine Albumin, Urine Creatinine, Microalbumin/Creatinine
ABN Requirement: No
Synonyms: Urine microalbumin; Albumin-to-Creatinine
Specimen: Urine
Volume: 1.0 mL
Minimum Volume: 0.5 mL
Container: Yellow Top Urine Tube (No Preservative)

Collection:

  1. Collect urine sample according to standard protocols.
  2. Transfer aliquot from a clean urine cup into a Yellow Top tube using the vacutainer transfer device included with the Yellow Top tube.
  3. Label sample according to standard protocols.

Special Instructions: Samples should not be collected after exertion, in the presence of urinary tract infection, during acute illness, immediately after surgery, or after an acute fluid load.

Transport: Store urine at 2°C to 8°C after collection and ship the same day per packaging instructions included with the provided shipping box.

Stability:

Ambient (15-25°C): 7 days
Refrigerated (2-8°C): 14 days
Frozen (-20°C): 6 months

Causes for Rejection: Specimens other than unpreserved urine; improper labeling; samples not stored properly; samples older than stability limits

Methodology: Immunoturbidimetric Assay

Turn Around Time: 1 to 3 days

Relative Risk Range:

Microalbumin:

RELATIVE RISK
Age Sex Low
mg/g creatinine
Moderate
mg/g creatinine
High
mg/g creatinine
All Ages Male <3.9 na ≥3.9
All Ages Female <7.5 na ≥7.5

In the Framingham Heart Study, it was shown that healthy individuals (defined as non-hypertensive, non-diabetic, and without prevalent CVD) with elevated microalbumin levels had approximately 3x greater risk for developing cardiovascular disease. These levels were gender-specific and noted to be ≥3.9 mg/g cr for men and ≥7.5 mg/g cr for women (1).  A persistent  microalbumin of >30 mg/g cr indicates a loss in kidney function and is used in the diagnosis of chronic kidney disease (2). (References: 1-Arnlov et al. Circulation 2005; 112:969-975. 2-Fox et al. Nephrology 2013; 1:21.)

Clinical Significance: The urinary microalbumin/creatinine may be performed on individuals with type 1 or type 2 diabetes, hypertension, a family history of chronic kidney disease, those at intermediate (10-20%) risk for cardiovascular disease or those with known vascular disease.

The CPT codes provided are based on AMA guidelines and are for informational purposes only. CPT coding is the sole responsibility of the billing party. Please direct any questions regarding coding to the payer being billed.