Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR)

Urine albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), also known as urine microalbumin, helps identify kidney disease that can occur as a complication of diabetes.

If kidney disease is diagnosed early in people with diabetes, appropriate treatment can be given and its effects can be closely monitored.

This means a person's ACR level should be checked as soon as diabetes is diagnosed.

It should also be measured each year, or more frequently, if your ACR level is significantly raised.

If you have a slightly raised ACR level, you may have early-stage kidney disease. A very high ACR level indicates more severe kidney disease. A very low ACR value probably means your kidneys are functioning normally.

If diabetes is well managed, it's easier to control or prevent complications developing, such as high blood pressure, which can sometimes lead to kidney disease.

Read more about treating type 1 diabetes and treating type 2 diabetes.

Read more about ACR at Lab Tests Online UK.

Page last reviewed: Mon Aug 2021 Next review due: Mon Aug 2021