Frequently Asked Questions
9. What does the urine test for kidney disease reveal?
The urine test for kidney disease looks for albumin (al-BYOO-min), a type of protein, in your urine. A healthy kidney does not let albumin pass into the urine. A damaged kidney lets some albumin pass into the urine. This test has several different names. You could be told that you are being screened for "proteinuria" or "albuminuria" or "microalbuminuria." Or you could be told that your "urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio" (UACR) is being measured.
If you have albumin or protein in your urine, it could mean you have kidney disease. A UACR result above 30 is abnormal and may mean kidney disease. Your healthcare provider might do additional tests to be sure.