Microalbuminuria refers to the excretion of small but abnormal amounts of albumin in urine.

It is an early marker of kidney damage before overt proteinuria develops.

Clinical uses include:

Early detection of diabetic nephropathy.

Monitoring hypertensive patients for renal involvement.

Assessing progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Evaluating cardiovascular risk, as microalbuminuria is linked to vascular damage.

Often performed as a spot urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) or 24‑hour urine collection.

Analyte: Albumin in urine (mg/day or mg/g creatinine).

Normal Range (varies by lab):

Normal: <30 mg/day or ACR <30 mg/g.

Microalbuminuria: 30–300 mg/day or ACR 30–300 mg/g.

Macroalbuminuria: >300 mg/day or ACR >300 mg/g.

Abnormal Findings:

Elevated microalbumin: Suggests early kidney damage due to diabetes, hypertension, or glomerular disease.

Clinical Use:

Provides a sensitive marker for early renal dysfunction.

Helps guide diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of renal and cardiovascular disorders.

Supports nephrology, endocrinology, and internal medicine evaluations.