Albumin-to-Creatinine (ACR) Test
Because your health matters.
Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (ACR) is a urine test that helps identify early signs of kidney strain. It measures how much albumin, a protein, is present in your urine compared with creatinine, giving a more reliable picture of kidney health than measuring albumin alone.
Raised albumin levels can be an early sign that the kidneys are under strain, often before any symptoms appear. Creatinine helps account for how concentrated your urine sample is, which is what makes ACR a more precise marker than a standalone albumin check.
Our private ACR test is available as an optional add-on to any health assessment package, and is included as standard in our Personal Health Monitoring (PHM) programme. It's a quick and simple way to get a proactive view of your kidney health.
Explore our packages and book online today.
USPs
1.
Fast, accurate results
2.
Competitively priced testing within 20 minutes of your home
3.
Detailed, personalised Results Report
4.
Access to our 24/7 GP service with all test packages
How it works
1. Select and book your package
View our health test packages and book a full body private health check. All our individual tests can be added to any of our private health check packages. . Just call our team on 0800 652 2183 before your appointment to add an extra test.
2. Make an appointment
Choose the venue, date and time that suits you. With over 2000 appointments available nationwide every week, you're sure to find a convenient time, date and venue.
3. Attend your appointment
A trained health assessment specialists will carry out your blood test. The whole process only takes around 20 - 30 minutes.
4. Fast, accurate results
Your results will be available 24/7 through our online dashboard, My Wellness. You will receive an email notification as soon as your results are ready for viewing. Processing times vary by test, with some results accessible on the dashboard in as little as three days. The online dashboard also provides easy access to a downloadable PDF, making it simple to share your results with your GP.
What is a private ACR Test?
A private ACR test measures the ratio of albumin to creatinine in your urine. Albumin is a protein that shouldn't normally be present in urine in significant amounts. When the kidneys are healthy, they filter waste from the blood while retaining useful proteins like albumin.
If the kidneys' filtration system is under strain or damaged, small amounts of albumin can begin to leak into the urine. Because urine concentration varies from sample to sample, ACR compares albumin against creatinine, a waste product produced at a steady rate, to give a consistent and reliable measure regardless of how concentrated or dilute the sample is.
Who the test may be relevant for
ACR may be useful for customers with risk factors for kidney disease, including:
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Cardiovascular conditions
- A family history of kidney disease
It may also be of interest to customers who simply want a proactive view of their kidney health, even without a specific risk factor.
Providing your sample
To get the most accurate result from your ACR test:
- Collect your urine sample first thing in the morning where possible.
- No special preparation is usually required.
- Stay well hydrated in the lead-up to your sample.
- Avoid strenuous exercise, heavy protein meals or dehydration before providing your sample, as these can temporarily affect results.
- Continue taking any prescribed medication as directed, and let your healthcare provider know about any medicines or supplements you use.
Your results in detail
Normal ACR
A normal ACR result suggests your kidneys are preventing significant protein loss and are functioning as expected.
Raised ACR
A raised ACR result may indicate protein leakage from the kidneys and can be an early sign of kidney strain or damage, often before other symptoms appear. If your result is elevated, a healthcare provider may recommend repeat testing or further investigation to understand the cause.
ACR compared with Urine MC&S
Customers sometimes ask how ACR differs from our Urine MC&S test:
Urine MC&S mainly looks for infection and general abnormalities. It may flag blood or protein in a general way, and culture can identify whether bacteria are present. ACR does not look for infection. Instead, it gives a precise, quantified measure of protein leakage from the kidneys, making it a more specific marker of kidney function.
Our full body private health checks are designed for busy people who want to take control of their health. Our tests are quick, accurate, convenient, and completely stress-free. No waiting for an appointment, no invasive procedures, no embarrassing questions, no long travel times and no busy waiting rooms.
Our tests are conducted by trained health assessment specialists at over 350 venues across the UK and Ireland, ensuring accurate professional health checks within 20 minutes of your home.
ACR can be added to any full body health check. Just book one of our full body private health assessments and call us before your appointment to add an extra test.
Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.
FAQs
ACR stands for Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio. It's a urine test that compares the level of albumin, a protein, against creatinine to assess how well your kidneys are functioning.
No special preparation is usually required, though we recommend staying well hydrated and avoiding strenuous exercise, heavy protein meals or dehydration beforehand, as these can temporarily affect your result. Full instructions will be provided when you book.
Your test results will each be given a flag of a different colour: green, amber or red. Green results are within the recommended range; amber results are slightly outside what we'd normally expect; and red results are further outside the norm. Where a result is amber or red, we'll give follow-up advice on what to do next, whether that's making lifestyle changes, simply monitoring the result, or visiting your doctor for further investigation.
A normal ACR result suggests your kidneys are preventing significant protein loss. A raised result may point to early kidney strain, and your Results Report will explain what your specific result means along with any recommended next steps.
The ACR test is currently available in Great Britain only. It isn't available in Ireland, as the sample is not stable for that route.
Full preparation instructions will be provided in writing when you book your appointment. These instructions will include information on which foods to avoid and if you need to stop taking any medications prior to the test.
