Protein Creatinine Ratio Calculator
Evaluates renal function and checks for proteinuria based on protein and creatinine urine levels.
Refer to the text below the tool for more information about the its interpretation and proteinuria.
The measurement of protein creatinine ratio is part of the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It can also be requested in pregnancy where non-albumin proteinuria is suspected.
PCR (g/day) = Urine protein in mg/dL / Urine creatinine in mg/dL
Protein Creatinine Ratio Interpretation
| PCR in g/day | Interpretation |
| <0.2 | Within normal limits |
| 0.2 - 3.5 | Further investigations required |
| > 3.5 | Nephrotic range |
Send Us Your Feedback
Steps on how to print your input & results:
1. Fill in the calculator/tool with your values and/or your answer choices and press Calculate.
2. Then you can click on the Print button to open a PDF in a separate window with the inputs and results. You can further save the PDF or print it.
Please note that once you have closed the PDF you need to click on the Calculate button before you try opening it again, otherwise the input and/or results may not appear in the pdf.
Protein Creatinine Ratio Explained
The determination of protein creatinine ratio is requested when proteinuria is suspected and also forms part of the diagnosis, staging and monitoring of chronic kidney disease (CKD). It may be requested in pregnancy where non-albumin proteinuria is suspected.
The protein/creatinine ratio in a single urine sample correlates with protein excretion, thus 24-hour urine collection is used.
PCR (g/day) = Urine protein in mg/dL / Urine creatinine in mg/dL
Protein Creatinine Ratio Interpretation
| PCR in g/day | Interpretation |
| <0.2 | Within normal limits |
| 0.2 - 3.5 | Further investigations required |
| > 3.5 | Nephrotic range |
The protein creatinine ratio evaluates the kidney function and is performed via a dipstick urine protein test, as part of urinalysis.
Kidneys filter proteins, which remain in the blood but when their function is altered, nephrotic syndrome occurs and proteins pass in the urine. Persistent proteinuria indicates an abnormal increase in glomerular permeability. The main complication of long-term proteinuria is kidney failure.
Proteinuria may be associated with a series of diseases and conditions, such as kidney infection, polycystic kidney disease, amyloidosis, urinary tract infection, congestive heart failure, glomerulonephritis, diabetes of systemic lupus erythematosus. In pregnant women, elevated urine protein levels can be associated with pre-eclampsia.
References
Ginsberg JM, Chang BS, Matarese RA, Garella S. Use of single voided urine samples to estimate quantitative proteinuria. N Engl J Med. 1983; 309(25):1543-6.
Schwab SJ, Christensen RL, Dougherty K, Klahr S. Quantitation of proteinuria by the use of protein-to-creatinine ratios in single urine samples. Arch Intern Med. 1987; 147(5):943-4.
Martin H. Laboratory Measurement of Urine Albumin and Urine Total Protein in Screening for Proteinuria in Chronic Kidney Disease. Clin Biochem Rev. 2011; 32(2): 97–102.
Specialty: Nephrology
System: Urinary
Article By: Denise Nedea
Published On: June 17, 2020 · 12:00 AM
Last Checked: June 17, 2020
Next Review: June 17, 2025