ACR Testing Posted or Updated on 28 Jun 2023

1.2 million people in the UK have undiagnosed chronic kidney disease (CKD), putting them at an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) including heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Detecting CKD requires both an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR).

We can significantly reduce CVD risks in patients with diabetes and hypertension by identifying CKD, so an ACR digital home testing solution is now available.

Having diabetes and hypertension increases your risk of cardiovascular disease, eye disease and kidney disease. With regular checks you can reduce the risk of any of these complications.
 
We are therefore excited to inform you of a new service at Napier Road Surgery that will allow patients with diabetes and hypertension to test their kidney function from home.
 
As you know, as part of your diabetes and hypertension annual review, you should have a simple urine test. This test looks at your urinary albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR). The ACR test checks your kidney function by looking for particles of protein in your urine called albumin. If there is albumin in your urine, this means you are at increased risk of kidney disease and heart disease. If this is picked up at an early stage, you can be put on medication that will reduce your risk of any complications.
 
To help you perform this test, we are working with a company called Healthy.io, who provide a urine ACR kit and app that allows people to do the test at home. The test is really easy to do and only requires a smartphone and a kit that will be sent to your home.
 
If you have diabetes or hypertension, Healthy.io will be contacting you in the next few weeks to get your kit sent to you. To find out more about kidney disease or the test, visit this site: https://lp.healthy.io/minuteful_info/.
 
To find out about all the other checks you need to have in your diabetes review please follow this link: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/guide-to-diabetes/managing-your-diabetes/15-healthcare-essentials.