Laboratory Medicine
Test Directory / Protein/Creatinine Ratio
Protein/Creatinine Ratio
Urine monovette, white topped universal or 24 hour container (no additives)
| Test | Protein/Creatinine Ratio |
|---|---|
| Common Abbreviations | PCR |
| Profile | NA |
| Tube type | Urine monovette, white topped universal (no additives) |
| Clinical Indication | Proteinuria is an important indicator of the onset and progression of kidney disease. Increased levels of urinary protein may also be present following strenous exercise or in monoclonal gammopathies and urinary tract infections. Protein:creatinine ratio, and not microalbumin: creatinine ratio, should be requested in pregnancy and where non-albumin proteinuria is suspected. |
| Specimen Type | Urine - early morning, mid-stream urine preferred |
| Sample type | Random |
| Minimum Volume | 1mL |
| Special Precautions | No special requirements |
| Stability | 48 hours at 2-4oC |
| Turnaround Time | Inpatient: 6 hours Outpatient/ GP: 24 hours |
| Laboratory | York and Scarborough |
| Reference Interval | <30mg/mmol in pregnancy. Otherwise, please refer to NICE GC 182 (CKD). |
| Limitations | Samples contaminated by haemoglobin may give falsely elevated levels. Analysis of urine samples containing immunoglobulin light chains (i.e. Bence-Jones Protein) may result in the underestimation of protein. Discrepancies may also arise in samples from patients being treated with polypeptide based plasma substitutes which may be excreted in the urine thereby giving very high results. |
| Notes |
