Urine albumin (uACR)
A simple urine test that picks up tiny amounts of protein leaking from the kidneys - often the earliest sign of damage.
TypeUrine
HowA small urine sample, ideally first thing in the morning.
How oftenYearly with diabetes or high blood pressure.
BeforeAvoid intense exercise the day before.
WhoPeople with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or 60+.
A leak that shows up years before kidney function drops
Healthy kidneys keep protein in your blood. When the tiny filters are stressed - by high blood pressure or blood sugar - albumin starts leaking into urine, long before blood tests change.
Normal
“Are my kidneys OK?”
No meaningful protein leak.
Normal
Raised
“Is this a problem?”
An early warning for kidneys and heart - worth discussing.
Early warning
Highly raised
“What next?”
Your provider will usually follow up.
Act
Is it right for you?
Worth considering if…
- You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- You have heart disease.
- You’re 60+ or have a family history of kidney disease.
A better option if…
- You’ve just exercised hard or have a urine infection - retest later.
How it’s measured
Spot urine ACR
A single urine sample.
The full picture
What is it?
A test for albumin (protein) in urine compared with creatinine.
What type of test is it?
A urine test.
What does it measure?
Albumin-to-creatinine ratio (mg/g).
Why might someone consider it?
To catch kidney damage early.
Who is it most relevant for?
People with diabetes, high blood pressure or heart disease.
How is it performed?
A urine sample.
How often might it be considered?
Yearly if at risk.
What can the result help you understand?
Whether your kidneys are under strain.
What are its limitations?
Exercise, infection and fever can raise it; confirm with repeat.
What should it be viewed with?
eGFR, cystatin C, blood pressure and HbA1c.
Where to get it
Through your provider
The simplest route - often covered when there’s a clear reason.
Lab services
e.g. Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp.
Direct-to-consumer panels
e.g. Function Health, InsideTracker.
Names are examples only, not endorsements. Your provider can often order the same test - and help interpret it.
Connected to
Questions to ask your provider
- Is my urine albumin raised?
- Should I be tested yearly?
Ziva Health
One test is a snapshot. Ziva shows the whole story.
Ziva brings your lab results, wearables and daily readings together - and Isabella tells you what’s changing and what to ask your provider next.
Refer Ziva to my provider / care team
Is your provider not on Ziva yet? Send them a link in under a minute - once they join, they’ll see your Urine albumin result alongside your other trends and get alerts directly.
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Bring your Ziva 30-day report to your next appointment - your Urine albumin result and daily trends in one view, so the conversation starts with the full picture.
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Being listed doesn’t mean everyone needs this test. Educational only — not medical advice. Results should be interpreted with a qualified clinician. ← Back to Know What to Test