Test Category: Specialist Biochemistry
Investigation Name:Citrate (Urine) – Random/ 24Hr
Accreditation:UKAS ISO15189:2022 accredited test: On scope
Intro:
Urinary citrate inhibits renal stone formation by forming soluble complexes with calcium and thus low levels are considered a risk factor for renal stone formation. Hypocitraturia is commonly present in stone formers.Most cases are idiopathic in origin but it can be the result of metabolic acidosis, hypokalaemia, hypomagnesemia, malabsorption, dietary factors (e.g. rich in animal protein, low in fruit) and urinary tract infections.
Certain drugs are also associated with hypocitraturia such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (e.g. acetazolamide) which inhibits citrate excretion.
Identification of hypocitraturia enables initiation of life style changes to increase urinary citrate levels e.g. increased fluid and citrus fruit intake or increased citrus fruit intake alongside restricted intake of animal protein, sodium and oxalate.
Pathology Laboratory:Manuals Laboratory
Requestable Seperately?Yes
Expected Turnaround Time:7 working days
Test Code:24CT/ UCIT
Sample Type:
20ml aliquot from 24hour urine collection.Random urine samples can be used if 24hour collection not available.
Referral samples should be acidified to pH 1-2 prior to shipment.
Complex Reference Range:0.600 – 4.800 mmol/24hr (Male)
1.300 – 6.000 mmol/24hr (Female)
0.040 – 0.330 mmol/mmol (Male)
0.110 – 0.550 mmol/mmol (Female)
Collection Conditions / Other Information:Request forms should provide information on:
Collection start date/time,
Collection end date/time,
Collection volume and pH.
Referred to Another Laboratory?No
Storage Requirements:2-8 °C.
Posting Address / Requirements:Ambient temperature, 1st Class Post,
Sandwell Health Campus,
Specialist Chemistry,
Pathology Department
Lyndon,
B71 4HJ
NPEX / PDF Reporting Available:Yes
EQA Scheme:WEQAS Oxalate and Citrate scheme
Lead Contact Details:Consultant Clinical Scientist, Mark Livingston
Email: mark.livingston@nhs.net
Email Address For Chasing Results:rwh-tr.bcpsspecialistchemistryenquiries@nhs.net
Site Sample Tested:Manuals Laboratory - Sandwell Health Campus
Cost:Please email: bcpspathology.info@nhs.net for further details
Contact Number:0121 507 5162
