Urine Albumin levels: what's normal, high and low
A small amount of albumin in the urine. Early sign of kidney damage from diabetes or hypertension.
Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD · Last reviewed September 2026
The short answer
Urine Albumin is measured with a urine (random) sample; no fasting is needed. A typical reference range is 0.000 – 30.0 mg/g. At TestWell it's $24.99 all-in as Microalbumin (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio), results in 1–3 business days, drawn at Quest. An out-of-range result is a prompt to look closer, not a diagnosis.
- Units
- mg/L / mg/g
- Sample
- Urine (random)
- Fasting
- Not required
- Results
- 1–3 business days
- Price
- $24.99
- Labs
- Quest
Urine Albumin Reference Range
These are the typical adult reference ranges used by major US labs. Your report will include the specific range used by the lab that processed your sample.
| Population | Range |
|---|---|
| age 18+ | 0.000 – 30.0 mg/g |
Reference ranges are educational. Always interpret your result with the specific range printed on your lab report and discuss anything outside the range with a clinician.
Have a result in hand? analyze it with your AI assistant using these reviewed ranges, or run it through our explainer. Tools: look up another marker's range · convert lab units
What your Urine Albumin result may mean
Above 30 mg/g creatinine suggests early kidney damage and warrants follow-up.
What a high Urine Albumin means: causes, symptoms, next steps ↓Educational only — not a diagnosis. Many factors can influence a single result. Discuss anything that concerns you with a healthcare provider.
What does a high Urine Albumin mean?
Albumin in the urine (albuminuria) means the kidney's filters are leaking protein — the earliest sign of kidney damage from diabetes or high blood pressure, years before creatinine changes. It is reported against creatinine as a ratio; above 30 mg/g is moderately increased, above 300 severely. Temporary rises follow hard exercise, fever, infection, dehydration, menstruation and poorly controlled blood sugar, so a positive is confirmed on two of three samples over three months.
Common causes of a high Urine Albumin
- Diabetic kidney disease, hypertensive kidney damage
- Glomerular diseases, lupus nephritis
- Heart failure, obesity, sleep apnea (modest)
- Temporary: strenuous exercise within 24 hours, fever, urinary infection, dehydration, menstruation, upright posture (orthostatic)
- NSAIDs, uncontrolled hyperglycemia
Ordered from most to least common.
Symptoms that can go with it
- Usually none
- Foamy urine, ankle swelling as protein loss increases
What clinicians usually check next
- Repeat on a first-morning sample twice over 3 months; avoid testing after exercise or during illness
- eGFR, A1c, blood pressure, urinalysis for infection or blood
- ACE inhibitor/ARB and SGLT2 inhibitor decisions are made on a confirmed result — a clinician's call
Seek care promptly if
- Ratio above ~300 mg/g with swelling, high blood pressure or a falling eGFR — prompt nephrology evaluation
What is a normal urine albumin?
Under 30 mg per gram of creatinine. 30–300 is moderately increased (formerly 'microalbuminuria'); over 300 is severely increased. The ratio corrects for how dilute the urine is.
Can exercise cause albumin in urine?
Yes — a hard workout the day before can push it over 30 temporarily. Test on a rested morning; a result that is normal on repeat was exercise, not kidney damage.
Educational only — not a diagnosis. A single result outside the range is a prompt to look closer with a clinician.
How do you get a Urine Albumin test?
Order online, a licensed physician reviews the requisition, and you walk into a nearby lab for the draw. Urine Albumin is available on its own or inside these panels — panels cost less per marker when you want the fuller picture.
| Option | Includes | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Microalbumin (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio) | This marker only | $24.99 |
Quest vs. Labcorp for Urine Albumin: which lab should you pick?
Both are CLIA-certified national labs and the result is clinically equivalent, so pick whichever location is closer. Your report will print that lab's own reference range, which can differ slightly from the table above.
| Lab | Available | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $24.99 |
| Labcorp | No | — |
| BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — |
Need help choosing a location? Use the lab finder to see draw sites near your ZIP.
Frequently asked
What does a high Urine Albumin mean?
Albumin in the urine (albuminuria) means the kidney's filters are leaking protein — the earliest sign of kidney damage from diabetes or high blood pressure, years before creatinine changes. It is reported against creatinine as a ratio; above 30 mg/g is moderately increased, above 300 severely. Temporary rises follow hard exercise, fever, infection, dehydration, menstruation and poorly controlled blood sugar, so a positive is confirmed on two of three samples over three months.
What is a normal urine albumin?
Under 30 mg per gram of creatinine. 30–300 is moderately increased (formerly 'microalbuminuria'); over 300 is severely increased. The ratio corrects for how dilute the urine is.
Can exercise cause albumin in urine?
Yes — a hard workout the day before can push it over 30 temporarily. Test on a rested morning; a result that is normal on repeat was exercise, not kidney damage.
Do I need a doctor's order to test my urine albumin?
No. TestWell's licensed physician network reviews and approves your order — usually within minutes. You can place an order online without an in-person visit or a referral from your own doctor.
How long does it take to get Urine Albumin results?
Most Urine Albumin results are available in 1–3 business days after your specimen arrives at the lab. You'll get an email the moment your results are ready, with everything viewable in your TestWell portal.
How much does a Urine Albumin test cost?
Our Microalbumin (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio) starts at $24.99. That's the all-in price — no copays, no insurance hoops, no surprise bills. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Do I need to fast before my Urine Albumin test?
Fasting is not required for the Urine Albumin test. You can have your blood drawn any time of day.
Which lab will process my Urine Albumin test?
Your test will be processed by Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp, or BioReference depending on which is closest to you and which lab carries the test. All three are CLIA-certified and trusted by hospitals nationwide. You'll choose your lab during checkout from 4,000+ locations.
Ready to test your urine albumin?
Order in two minutes, get physician-approved, and visit a lab the same day. Starts at $24.99.