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22887 Microalbumin, Urine, 24HR or Timed Overnight (24 MA)

Microalbumin, Urine, 24HR or Timed Overnight (24 MA)
Test Code: MA
Synonyms/Keywords
24 MA, ​Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine, Albumin in urine
Test Components
​Albumin and creatinine
Useful For
​The urinary albumin level is an excellent predictor of progression to nephropathy in both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Measurement of albumin excretion in an overnight collection of urine is generally considered the best measurement; however, 24 hour urines and random urines may also be used.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No Urine, Overnight or 24 hour​ 10 mL urine aliquot tube​ Sage cup ​ 10 mL​ 6 mL​ 3 mL​
Collection Processing Instructions
​Collect an overnight (typically 8 hour, starting in the evening and ending in the morning) urine sample without preservative, recording the duration and total volume.   Unpreserved 24 hour urine specimens are also acceptable.  Times for 24 hour collection should be between 22-26 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Urine Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Rejection Criteria
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
Performing Laboratory Information
 
 
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Eau Claire
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Ladysmith
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Marshfield​
 Monday through Sunday​6-8 hours​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU5800
​Minocqua
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Park Falls
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Rice Lake​
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU​
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

AER (overnight collection): 0-20 ug albumin/minute

Albumin/24 hours (24 hour collection): 0-30 mg albumin/24 hours​

Interpretation
​Microalbuminria is a reversible condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt proteinuria.  It occurs in diabetic and hypertensive patients and is generally treatable by blood pressure-lowering medications.  Using this therapy, progression to an irreversible state of macroalbuminuria can be prevented or delayed for a decade or more.  Conventional dipstick and acid precipitation tests for detecting protein in urine lack the sensitivity required to delineate this condition.  Dipsticks may yield negative results even when the albumin excretion rate is 10 or 20 times normal.  Nephelometry enables sufficient sensitivity to detect albumin at these levels.
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82043​ ​ ​ ​ ​
Synonyms/Keywords
24 MA, ​Albumin/Creatinine ratio, Microalbumin-random urine, Albumin in urine
Test Components
​Albumin and creatinine
Ordering Applications
Ordering Application Description
​Cerner ​Microalbumin, Urine, 24HR or Timed Overnight
If the ordering application you are looking for is not listed, contact your local laboratory for assistance.
Specimen Requirements
Fasting Required Specimen Type Preferred Container/Tube Acceptable Container/Tube Specimen Volume Specimen Minimum Volume
(allows for 1 repeat)		 Pediatric Minimum Volume
(no repeat)
​No Urine, Overnight or 24 hour​ 10 mL urine aliquot tube​ Sage cup ​ 10 mL​ 6 mL​ 3 mL​
Collection Processing
​Collect an overnight (typically 8 hour, starting in the evening and ending in the morning) urine sample without preservative, recording the duration and total volume.   Unpreserved 24 hour urine specimens are also acceptable.  Times for 24 hour collection should be between 22-26 hours.
Specimen Stability Information
Specimen Type Temperature Time
​Urine Refrigerate​ 7 days​
Rejection Criteria
Frozen samples​
Specimens collected with acid preservatives​
Specimens from patients with urinary tract infections, or exhibiting significant bacterial growth​
Useful For
​The urinary albumin level is an excellent predictor of progression to nephropathy in both insulin dependent and non-insulin dependent diabetes. Measurement of albumin excretion in an overnight collection of urine is generally considered the best measurement; however, 24 hour urines and random urines may also be used.
Test Components
​Albumin and creatinine
Reference Range Information
Performing Location Reference Range
All Performing Sites

AER (overnight collection): 0-20 ug albumin/minute

Albumin/24 hours (24 hour collection): 0-30 mg albumin/24 hours​

Interpretation
​Microalbuminria is a reversible condition characterized by increased urinary excretion of albumin in the absence of overt proteinuria.  It occurs in diabetic and hypertensive patients and is generally treatable by blood pressure-lowering medications.  Using this therapy, progression to an irreversible state of macroalbuminuria can be prevented or delayed for a decade or more.  Conventional dipstick and acid precipitation tests for detecting protein in urine lack the sensitivity required to delineate this condition.  Dipsticks may yield negative results even when the albumin excretion rate is 10 or 20 times normal.  Nephelometry enables sufficient sensitivity to detect albumin at these levels.
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Performing Laboratory Information
 
 
Performing Location Day(s) Test Performed Analytical Time Methodology/Instrumentation
​Eau Claire
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Ladysmith
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Marshfield​
 Monday through Sunday​6-8 hours​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU5800
​Minocqua
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
​Park Falls
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU
Rice Lake​
​Monday through Sunday
​6-8 hours
​Turbidimetric method/Beckman Coulter AU​
For billing questions, see Contacts
Outreach CPTs
CPT Modifier
(if needed)		 Quantity Description Comments
82043​ ​ ​ ​ ​
For most current information refer to the Marshfield Laboratory online reference manual.