Urine albumin test
Quick answer: A urine albumin test checks for albumin, a protein that healthy kidneys normally keep out of the urine. It is used to check kidney health, especially in diabetes and high blood pressure, and at antenatal visits.
- SampleUrine
- TakesA few minutes to give the sample
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
- In fertility careIn pregnancy, protein in the urine together with high blood pressure can be a sign of pre-eclampsia.
How the test is done
- 1You collect a midstream urine sample in a clean container
- 2Your doctor may ask for a first-morning sample or a timed collection
- 3The lab measures albumin, often with creatinine to give a ratio
- 4A raised result is usually checked again on a later sample
What your results can mean
Reading your report
Exercise, fever and infection can raise results for a short time, so a positive result is often repeated; discuss it with your doctor.
If the result is outside the usual range
Albumin in urine can be seen with kidney damage from diabetes or high blood pressure, kidney inflammation, and preeclampsia in pregnancy. Short-lived rises can also follow fever, hard exercise or a urine infection.
Who usually has this test
People with diabetes or high blood pressure, and pregnant women having blood pressure checks.
Risks and aftercare
There are no risks; if your result is raised, expect to be asked for a repeat sample.
Names and options
Also called: urine protein, albuminuria test, urine albumin
Listed by the hospital as
- URINE ALBUMIN
Questions about this test
What is microalbuminuria?
It is an older term for small amounts of albumin in urine, below what a standard dipstick picks up. It is often the earliest sign of kidney strain in diabetes or high blood pressure, which is why it is checked regularly in these conditions.
Can exercise affect a urine albumin result?
Yes. Hard exercise, fever, a urine infection or standing for a long time can raise albumin for a short while. Doctors usually confirm a raised result with a repeat sample before calling it persistent.
Why is protein in urine checked in pregnancy?
New protein in urine after about 20 weeks, together with high blood pressure, can be a sign of preeclampsia. That is why urine is tested at many antenatal visits.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.