--- title: Urine Albumin Test type: biomarker url: "https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/urine-albumin" also_known_as: - urine albumin - microalbumin - microalbumin, urine category: Metabolic Health units: - mg/L - mg/g order_price_usd: 24.99 order_item: Microalbumin (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio) order_url: "https://www.test-well.com/tests/microalbumin-urine" reviewed_at: 2026-09-08 --- # Urine Albumin > 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. Also known as: urine albumin, microalbumin, microalbumin, urine. ## Key facts | Fact | Value | | --- | --- | | Units | mg/L / mg/g | | Sample | Urine (random) | | Fasting | Not required | | Results | 1–3 business days | | Price | $24.99 | | Labs | Quest | ## What does Urine Albumin measure? A small amount of albumin in the urine. Early sign of kidney damage from diabetes or hypertension. ## What is the normal range for Urine Albumin? | Population | Reference range | | --- | --- | | age 18+ | 0.000 – 30.0 mg/g | Reference intervals differ slightly between labs; the range printed on your report is the one to interpret against. Ranges are usually set so 95% of healthy people fall inside them. ## 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 high Urine Albumin 1. Diabetic kidney disease, hypertensive kidney damage 2. Glomerular diseases, lupus nephritis 3. Heart failure, obesity, sleep apnea (modest) 4. Temporary: strenuous exercise within 24 hours, fever, urinary infection, dehydration, menstruation, upright posture (orthostatic) 5. NSAIDs, uncontrolled hyperglycemia ### Symptoms that go with high Urine Albumin - 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. ## How do you get tested for Urine Albumin? | Order | Type | Price | Includes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | [Microalbumin (Urine Albumin/Creatinine Ratio)](https://www.test-well.com/tests/microalbumin-urine) | Single test | $24.99 | This marker | ## Quest vs Labcorp vs BioReference | Lab | Available | Price | Notes | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Quest Diagnostics | Yes | $24.99 | Choose Quest at checkout; walk-in patient service centers in every state TestWell serves outside NY and NJ. | | Labcorp | No | — | Not offered through Labcorp for this test. | | BioReference (NY & NJ) | No | — | Not available in NY/NJ for this test. | ## Common questions about Urine Albumin ### 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. ## Sources - [National Kidney Foundation](https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/microalbuminuria) - [MedlinePlus (NIH) — Microalbumin Creatinine Ratio](https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/microalbumin-creatinine-ratio/) ## Related biomarkers - [Glucose](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/glucose) - [Creatinine](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/creatinine) - [eGFR](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/egfr) - [BUN](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/bun) - [ALT](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/alt) - [AST](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/ast) - [Reference range lookup tool](https://www.test-well.com/tools/reference-range-lookup) - [Lab unit converter](https://www.test-well.com/tools/lab-unit-converter) - [All biomarkers](https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers) --- Medically reviewed by Youmna DiStefano, MD (Medical Reviewer, TestWell); last reviewed 2026-09-08. Review policy: https://www.test-well.com/reviewers/youmna-distefano-md Canonical page: https://www.test-well.com/biomarkers/urine-albumin Machine-readable catalog: https://www.test-well.com/api/catalog.json · MCP server: https://www.test-well.com/mcp · Overview for agents: https://www.test-well.com/llms.txt Prices are cash-pay, in USD, and include physician authorization; every order adds one flat $6 lab processing fee. Educational content is not a diagnosis — discuss results with a clinician.