Assessment of renal tubular injury or dysfunction using 24-hour urine collections
Screening for tubular abnormalities
Detecting chronic asymptomatic renal tubular dysfunction(2)
Test Id | Reporting Name | Available Separately | Always Performed |
---|---|---|---|
AIM | Alpha-1-Microglobulin, 24 HR, U | No | Yes |
A1MCR | A1M/Creat Ratio | No | Yes |
A1MC | Alpha-1-Microglobulin Concentration | No | Yes |
CRT24 | Creatinine, 24 HR, U | Yes, (Order CTU) | Yes |
AIM, A1MCR: Calculation
A1MC: Immunonephelometry
CRT24: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay
Alpha-1-Microglycoprotein
HC (Human Complex) Protein
Protein Human Complex (HC)
Urine
24-Hour volume (in milliliters) is required.
Question ID | Description | Answers |
---|---|---|
TM27 | Collection Duration (h) | |
VL69 | Urine Volume (mL) |
Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect urine for 24 hours.
2. No preservative.
3. Mix well before taking 4-mL aliquot.
Additional Information: For multiple collections see Urine Preservatives-Collection and Transportation for 24-Hour Urine Specimens
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.
Note: The addition of preservative or application of temperature controls must occur within 4 hours of completion of the collection.
Ambient | OK |
Refrigerate | Preferred |
Frozen | OK |
50% Acetic Acid | OK |
Boric Acid | OK |
Diazolidinyl Urea | No |
6M Hydrochloric Acid | No |
6M Nitric Acid | No |
Sodium Carbonate | No |
Thymol | No |
Toluene | No |
1 mL
Gross hemolysis | Reject |
Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
---|---|---|---|
Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 7 days | |
Ambient | 7 days | ||
Frozen | 7 days |
Assessment of renal tubular injury or dysfunction using 24-hour urine collections
Screening for tubular abnormalities
Detecting chronic asymptomatic renal tubular dysfunction(2)
Alpha-1-microglobulin is a low-molecular-weight protein of 26 kDa and a member of the lipocalin protein superfamily.(1) It is synthesized in the liver, freely filtered by glomeruli, and reabsorbed by renal proximal tubules cells where it is catabolized.(1) Due to extensive tubular reabsorption, under normal conditions very little filtered alpha-1-microglobulin appears in the final excreted urine. Therefore, an increase in the urinary concentration of alpha-1-microglobulin indicates proximal tubule injury and/or impaired proximal tubular function.
Elevated excretion rates can indicate tubular damage associated with renal tubulointerstitial nephritis or tubular toxicity from heavy metal or nephrotoxic drug exposure. Glomerulonephropathies and renal vasculopathies also are often associated with coexisting tubular injury and so may result in elevated excretion. Elevated alpha-1-microglobulin in patients with urinary tract infections may indicate renal involvement (pyelonephritis).
Measurement of urinary excretion of retinol-binding protein, another low-molecular-weight protein, is an alternative to the measurement of alpha-1-microglobulin. To date, there are no convincing studies to indicate that one test has better clinical utility than the other.
Urinary excretion of alpha-1-microglobulin can be determined from either a 24-hour collection or from a random urine collection. The 24-hour collection is traditionally considered the gold standard. For random or spot collections, the concentration of alpha-1-microglobulin is divided by the urinary creatinine concentration. This corrected value adjusts alpha-1-microglobulin for variabilities in urine concentration.
> or =18 years: <23 mg/24 hours
Reference values have not been established for patients who are less than 18 years of age.
Alpha-1-microglobulin above the reference values may be indicative of a proximal tubular dysfunction.
Since this is a nephelometric assay, turbidity and particles (eg, cells, crystals) in the specimen can interfere with the test.
1. Akerstrom B, Logdberg L, Berggard T, Osmark P, Lindqvist A: Alpha(1)-microglobulin: a yellow-brown lipocalin. Biochim Biophys Acta. 2000 Oct 18;1482(1-2):172-184
2. Yu H, Yanagisawa Y, Forbes M, Cooper EH, Crockson RA, MacLennan RC: Alpha-1-microglobulin: an indicator protein for renal tubular function. J Clin Pathol. 1983 Mar;36(3):253-259
3. Hjorth L, Helin I, Grubb A: Age-related reference limits for urine levels of albumin, orosomucoid, immunoglobulin G, and protein HC in children. Scand J Clin Lab Invest. 2000 Feb;60(1):65-73
4. Pagana K, Pagana T, Papana T, eds: Mosby’s Diagnostic and Laboratory Test Reference. Mosby; 2020:632
Alpha-1-Microglobulin:
In an immunochemical reaction, alpha-1-microglobulin present in the urine sample forms immune complexes with anti-alpha-1-microglobulin specific antibodies. These complexes scatter a beam of light passed through the sample. The intensity of the scattered light is proportional to the concentration of alpha-1-microglobulin in the sample. The result is evaluated by comparison with a standard of known concentration.(Package insert: N Alpha-1-Microglobulin. Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics Inc; V5, 05/2018)
Creatinine:
The enzymatic method is based on the determination of sarcosine from creatinine with the aid of creatininase, creatinase, and sarcosine oxidase. The liberated hydrogen peroxide is measured via a modified Trinder reaction using a colorimetric indicator. Optimization of the buffer system and the colorimetric indicator enables the creatinine concentration to be quantified both precisely and specifically.(Package insert: Creatinine plus ver 2. Roche Diagnostics; V 15.0, 03/2019)
Varies
This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.
83883
Test Id | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
---|---|---|
A124 | Alpha-1-Microglobulin, 24 HR, U | 99075-4 |
Result Id | Test Result Name |
Result LOINC Value
Applies only to results expressed in units of measure originally reported by the performing laboratory. These values do not apply to results that are converted to other units of measure.
|
---|---|---|
CR_A | Creatinine, 24 HR, U | 2162-6 |
CR_24 | Creatinine Concentration, 24 HR, U | 20624-3 |
TM27 | Collection Duration (h) | 13362-9 |
VL69 | Urine Volume (mL) | 3167-4 |
AIM | Alpha-1-Microglobulin, 24 HR, U | 48414-7 |
A1MC | Alpha-1-Microglobulin Concentration | 99076-2 |
A1MCR | A1M/Creat Ratio | 99075-4 |
Change Type | Effective Date |
---|---|
File Definition - Result ID | 2024-11-14 |