Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | 24-hour urine albumin test, 24 hr urine microalbumin, urinary albumin excretion test, timed urine albumin collection |
| Sample Type | 24-hour urine collection |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | Within 24 to 48 hours |
| Recommended For | Adults of all genders, especially those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or risk factors for kidney disease |
| Price | Starting at ₹176 |
What Is an Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test?
The albumin quantitative 24-hour urine test measures how much albumin, a protein normally found in the blood, passes into your urine over a full day. Healthy kidneys keep albumin in the bloodstream, so elevated levels in urine may signal a kidney problem. This test is also called the 24-hour urine albumin test or urinary albumin excretion test, and uses a urine sample collected over a 24-hour period.
What Does an Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test Measure?
The test analyses two key aspects of protein loss through the kidneys. Both are closely related and together give your doctor a clear picture of kidney function.
| Parameter | What It Tells Your Doctor |
|---|---|
| Albumin | The amount of this blood protein found in your urine; healthy kidneys should retain it |
| Albumin excretion rate | How much albumin is lost over the full 24-hour collection period; this is considered the most accurate measure of protein loss through the kidneys |
Why Is an Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test Done?
Doctors prescribe this test to check kidney health and to catch early signs of damage before they progress.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
Your doctor may recommend a 24-hour urinary albumin test if you experience any of the following:
- Foamy or frothy urine
- Swelling in the hands, feet, or face (oedema)
- Persistent fatigue without a clear cause
- Reduced urine output
- Unexplained high blood pressure
- Changes in vision
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
The urine albumin quantitative 24-hour test can help identify a range of kidney and related conditions, including:
- Diabetic nephropathy (kidney damage caused by long-term diabetes)
- Hypertensive nephropathy (kidney disease linked to high blood pressure)
- Proteinuria (excess protein in urine) and nephrotic syndrome
- Lupus nephritis (kidney inflammation caused by lupus)
- Preeclampsia (a blood pressure complication during pregnancy)
- Early signs of cardiovascular risk, as elevated albumin in urine is associated with heart disease and stroke
Albumin Quantitative 24 Hours Urine Test During Pregnancy
This test plays an important role in antenatal care. Protein in the urine is a key indicator of preeclampsia, a serious pregnancy complication involving high blood pressure. Doctors often request a 24-hour albumin urine collection test to assess how well the kidneys are functioning when preeclampsia is suspected. A result above 300 mg per 24 hours is the widely used threshold for defining significant proteinuria during pregnancy.
Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For people living with diabetes or chronic kidney disease, this test is a routine part of long-term care. Guidelines recommend annual urine microalbumin 24-hour test screening for people with type 2 diabetes and for those with type 1 diabetes after at least five years. A result that stays the same or falls over time can indicate that treatment is working effectively.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
The collection process takes place over a full day at home, and the steps are straightforward once you understand the routine.
Do You Need to Fast?
No fasting is required for this test. You can eat and drink normally throughout the 24-hour collection period.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
A few simple precautions will help ensure your sample gives accurate results:
- Avoid intense exercise before and during the collection period, as strenuous activity can temporarily raise albumin levels in urine
- Do not collect during menstruation, as this may contaminate the sample
- Inform your doctor about all medications, supplements, herbs, and vitamins you currently take
- Keep the collection container refrigerated throughout the entire 24-hour period
Step-by-Step Procedure
Follow these steps carefully to collect your sample correctly:
- On the morning of day one, urinate into the toilet as usual when you wake up. Discard this first sample and note the time.
- From that point onwards, collect all urine produced over the next 24 hours into the container provided to you.
- On the morning of day two, collect your first morning urine into the container to complete the 24-hour period.
- Keep the container sealed and stored in the refrigerator or a cool place throughout the collection.
- Label the container with the date, start time, and end time as instructed.
- Return the container to the laboratory or hand it to the collection agent as directed.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can influence your results independently of kidney function. Be aware of the following:
- Vigorous physical activity within 24 hours of or during collection
- Urinary tract infection or fever at the time of collection
- Menstrual or seminal fluid contamination of the sample
- Poorly sealed or unrefrigerated collection containers
- Markedly elevated blood sugar or blood pressure at the time of collection
- Certain medications that may alter albumin excretion
Understanding Your Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test Results
Your results show how much albumin was excreted over the full collection period. Always review your report with your doctor, who will interpret the numbers in the context of your overall health.
| Category | Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Normal | Less than 30 | mg/24 hours |
| Microalbuminuria (moderately elevated) | 30 to 300 | mg/24 hours |
| Macroalbuminuria (severely elevated) | Greater than 300 | mg/24 hours |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Results During Special Conditions
Several factors can cause albumin levels to rise temporarily, even when kidney function is normal. Exercise, fever, urinary tract infections, heart failure, very high blood sugar, very high blood pressure, and menstruation can all produce elevated readings. Blood in the urine and certain medications may also raise levels. Additionally, albumin levels in the blood can appear lower during pregnancy due to natural dilution of the blood, which may influence how results are interpreted at that time.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
These general wellness habits support kidney and cardiovascular health:
- Follow a diet low in salt and sodium, which can help support healthy blood pressure levels
- If you have diabetes, keeping your blood sugar within target range helps protect the kidneys over time
- Stay well hydrated and maintain a regular, moderate exercise routine
Lupin Diagnostics Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test Price and Home Collection
The albumin quantitative 24-hour urine test price starts at approximately ₹176, with home collection available across cities. The table below shows indicative prices across major Indian cities.
| City | Approximate Price (₹) |
|---|---|
| Bengaluru | ₹520 |
| Mumbai | ₹520 |
| Chennai | ₹490 |
| Hyderabad | ₹520 |
| Kolkata | ₹550 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking your 24-hour urine albumin test through Lupin Diagnostics is simple:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website or app.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers home collection for the 24-hour albumin urine collection test across multiple cities in India. Your sample is processed in NABL-accredited laboratories staffed by experienced professionals. Reports are delivered digitally, so you can access and share them easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 24-hour urinary albumin test measures how much albumin your kidneys allow to pass into the urine over a full day. It is primarily used to screen for early kidney damage, particularly in people with diabetes or high blood pressure, and to monitor kidney function over time.
A single spot sample can be affected by how concentrated your urine is at that moment, making it less reliable. Collecting urine over the full 24-hour period gives a much more accurate picture of albumin excretion, which is why the urine microalbumin 24 hour test is considered the gold standard for this measurement.
Keep the collection container in the refrigerator or another consistently cool location throughout the entire 24-hour period. Proper storage helps preserve the sample and ensures your results are not affected by temperature changes.
Yes. Vigorous physical activity can temporarily increase the amount of albumin in your urine. Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours before starting the collection, and do not exercise during the collection period itself.
Annual testing is recommended for most people with diabetes. People with type 1 diabetes are advised to be tested yearly after at least five years from diagnosis, and those with type 2 diabetes should be tested annually. Your doctor will advise the appropriate frequency based on your individual situation.
Microalbuminuria refers to a result of 30 to 300 mg of albumin per 24 hours. It indicates early kidney changes that may be reversible with timely medical attention. Your doctor may recommend closer monitoring or changes to your management plan if microalbuminuria is detected.
Yes. Lupin Diagnostics offers this test with home collection across multiple cities in India. You can search for the albumin quantitative 24-hour urine test near me on the Lupin Diagnostics website or app, choose your location, and book a convenient slot without visiting a centre.
Albumin Quantitative 24-Hour Urine Test: Booking, Price, and Results
