Citric acid urine test
Definition
Citric acid urine test measures the level of citric acid in urine.
Alternative Names
Urine - citric acid test; Renal tubular acidosis - citric acid test; Kidney stones - citric acid test; Urolithiasis - citric acid test
How the Test is Performed
You will need to
How to Prepare for the Test
No special preparation is necessary for this test. But the results are affected by your diet, and this test is usually done while you are on a normal diet. Ask your provider for more information.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
The test is used to diagnose
Normal Results
The normal range is 320 to 1,240 mg per 24 hours.
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A low level of citric acid may mean renal tubular acidosis and a tendency to form calcium kidney stones.
The following may decrease urine citric acid levels:
- Long-term (chronic) kidney failure
Diabetes - Excessive muscle activity
- Medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
- Parathyroid glands do not produce enough of its hormone (
hypoparathyroidism ) - Too much acid in the body fluids (
acidosis )
The following may increase urine citric acid levels:
- A high
carbohydrate diet - Estrogen therapy
Vitamin D
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Pearle MS, Antonelli JA, Lotan Y. Urinary lithiasis: etiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Partin AW, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 51.
Sreedharan R, Avner ED. Renal tubular acidosis. In: Kliegman RM, Stanton BF, St. Geme JW, Schor NF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 20th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 529.
Review Date: 10/26/2017
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