Clinical
Indications |
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Detection
of small amounts of albumin in urine (microalbumin) of
diabetic patients allows for medical interventions to prevent
or delay onset of diabetic nephropathy.
There is considerable individual day to day variation in
microalbumin excretion and initial positive results must be
confirmed on two subsequent early morning urine samples taken
on different days (see screening
protocol). Results are corrected for urine concentration
by reporting a microalbumin:creatinine ratio.
At this time, point of care testing for microalbumin is
considered unreliable and all positive results must be
confirmed by laboratory testing. It is recommended that point
of care tests are not used.
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Test Includes |
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Urine
microalbumin, urine creatinine and urine
microalbumin:creatinine ratio
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Request Form |
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Combined
Pathology Blood form (Yellow/Black)
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Availability |
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On
request
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Specific
Criteria |
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Detection of microalbuminuria in
patients with diabetes (types I and II).
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Patient
Preparation |
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Patients
should avoid strenuous exercise or sexual activity for a few
days prior to collecting the urine. A patient
information leaflet is available.
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Turnaround
Time |
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2 days
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Specimen |
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Early
Morning Urine.
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Volume |
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2 ml
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Container |
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White
capped universal (plain) container
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Lab. Handling |
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Centrifuge
and aliquot. Store at 4°C
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Causes for
Rejection |
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Patients
with established renal disease or frank proteinuria. Pregnant
patients including 3 month postnatally.
Previously tested patients who are microalbumin positive.
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Interpretation |
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Microalbumin
positive: two of the three urines tested (including the
initial screen urine) have a microalbumin:creatinine ratio of
greater than 2.5 (males) or 3.5 (females).
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