Citrate (urine)

CITRATE (URINE)

Specimen

• 24 h urine Citrate UCIT (1.60 – 4.50 mmol/24h)
• Random Urine Citrate RUCIT (mmol/L)
• Citrate: Creatinine ratio RUCITCR (>0.1 mmol/mol)

Special Instructions

None

TEST USAGE

Urinary citrate is a major inhibitor of kidney stone formation, partly due to calcium binding in urine. Low urine citrate levels are considered a risk factor for kidney stone formation. There are several metabolic disorders associated with low urinary citrate concentrations. Any condition which lowers renal tubular pH or intracellular pH, may decrease citrate, e.g. metabolic acidosis, increased acid ingestion, hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia.

Low urinary citrate concentrations can be treated by correcting acidosis, hypokalaemia or hypomagnesaemia by altering the diet, or by using drugs such as citrate and potassium.

TURNAROUND TIME

Approx 4 weeks

AVAILABILITY

Referred test

Can be added on to an existing request up to 4 days following sample receipt.