A 24-hour urine albumin test measures total albumin excreted in urine over a full day to detect and quantify protein loss from the kidneys. You collect all urine for 24 hours in a provided container, store it as instructed, and return it for laboratory measurement. Elevated albumin suggests kidney damage from diabetes, hypertension or other disorders and helps monitor disease or treatment response.

A high 24‑hour urine protein indicates significant proteinuria, suggesting kidney damage or increased glomerular permeability from diabetes, hypertension, infections, autoimmune disease, or drugs. Confirm with a repeat or spot albumin‑to‑creatinine ratio and assess kidney function (serum creatinine/eGFR), urine microscopy, and imaging. Treatment targets the cause: control blood pressure and blood sugar, consider ACE inhibitors/ARBs, adjust medications, reduce salt, and refer to a nephrologist.

Collect all urine for 24 hours: discard the first morning void, note start time, collect every void including the first next morning, and keep it refrigerated. Record total urine volume. The lab reports albumin concentration (commonly mg/L); calculate 24‑hour albumin = concentration (mg/L) × total volume (L). Result is expressed as mg/day.

Normal urinary albumin is very low: under 30 mg per 24 hours, or an albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) below 30 mg/g (about <3 mg/mmol). An ACR of 30–300 mg/g (3–30 mg/mmol) or 30–300 mg/day indicates microalbuminuria; values above 300 mg/day (ACR >300 mg/g or >30 mg/mmol) indicate overt proteinuria and need evaluation.

High albumin in urine (albuminuria) usually indicates kidney damage or increased glomerular permeability. It can signal early chronic kidney disease, diabetes- or hypertension-related injury, infection, or recent heavy exercise. Persistent albuminuria raises risk of progressive kidney failure and cardiovascular disease. Doctors typically repeat tests (albumin-to-creatinine ratio), check blood pressure and blood sugar, and may start ACE inhibitors/ARBs and further evaluation.

Normal 24‑hour urine results vary by test. Typical ranges: total volume 800–2,000 mL/day; creatinine excretion ~14–26 mg/kg/day (men) and 11–20 mg/kg/day (women); total protein <150 mg/day; albumin <30 mg/day; calcium 100–300 mg/day; sodium 40–220 mmol/day; potassium 25–125 mmol/day. Reference ranges vary by lab, age, diet and body size. Contact your clinician for interpretation.