Urine ACR — Early Kidney Marker
The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio detects kidney protein leak years before eGFR drops — the earliest available marker of diabetic and hypertensive kidney injury, from a single spot urine sample.
The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio detects protein leaking from the kidneys years before eGFR starts to fall, making it the earliest available marker of diabetic and hypertensive kidney injury — and it needs only a single spot urine sample.
The biomarker
- Name: Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR)
- Units: mg/g
- Standard reference range: < 30 normal; 30–300 microalbuminuria; > 300 macroalbuminuria
- Optimal range: < 10
How to read your result
| Value (mg/g) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| < 10 | Optimal |
| 10–30 | Borderline — recheck, and tighten blood pressure and glucose control |
| 30–300 | Early kidney injury — see a clinician |
| ≥ 300 | Advanced — urgent referral |
What moves the needle
- Blood pressure. Target below 130/80 with a clinician — pressure control is the single most established lever on albumin leak.
- Glucose control. Tighten it if you are diabetic or pre-diabetic; hyperglycaemia is the other main driver of the injury this test detects.
- Diet. Moderate protein and low salt.
- Testing cadence. Annually if you have diabetes or hypertension.
Why this test is worth asking for
- It moves years earlier than eGFR. By the time estimated filtration rate drops, a substantial share of kidney function is already gone; ACR flags the damage while it is still the stage that responds to blood-pressure and glucose control.
- It is cheap and non-invasive — a single spot urine sample, no fasting, no blood draw.
- It is frequently left off standard panels even for people with the two conditions that most warrant it. Ask for it by name.
Related protocols
- Uric Acid — Metabolic + Gout Marker
- SHBG — Sex Hormone Binding Globulin
- HbA1c — Three-Month Glucose Average
Sources
AgeGen lab guides are educational only. We do not provide medical diagnosis, prescribe brands, or recommend specific doses. Talk to a licensed clinician before changing your supplement or medication routine.
