Understanding the ACR Blood Test and Its Role in Kidney Function
The ACR test is essential in assessing kidney health, particularly in individuals at risk of kidney disease. Here's what the test measures and how the results are interpreted:
- What It Measures:
The ACR test measures the amount of albumin, a protein that normally stays in the bloodstream, but in cases of kidney damage, it can leak into the urine. Creatinine is a waste product filtered out by healthy kidneys. The ratio of albumin to creatinine helps determine how well your kidneys are functioning. - Significance in Kidney Function:
- High ACR levels: Elevated ACR results (above 30 mg/g) may indicate that the kidneys are not filtering blood properly. It is often one of the earliest signs of kidney damage, particularly in people with diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Low ACR levels: Normal ACR levels (below 30 mg/g) suggest that your kidneys are functioning well.
- Implications:
High ACR results are an indicator of potential kidney disease. Early detection can prevent the progression of kidney damage by implementing lifestyle changes, managing blood sugar levels, or adjusting medications. Healthcare providers use ACR results to monitor and manage patients with conditions that affect kidney health, such as diabetes and hypertension.
Recommended Tests
- Creatinine Test
Since ACR measures the ratio of albumin to creatinine, it is important to evaluate creatinine levels in blood to understand overall kidney function.
Creatinine Test - Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
Another test to assess kidney function, the eGFR test helps estimate how well the kidneys are filtering waste from the blood.
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate Test
