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Test Code CITRA Citrate Excretion, Random, Urine


Ordering Guidance


A timed 24-hour collection is the preferred specimen for measuring and interpreting this urinary analyte. Order CITR / Citrate Excretion, 24 Hour, Urine.

Random collections normalized to urinary creatinine may be of some clinical use in patients who cannot collect a 24-hour specimen, typically small children.



Specimen Required


Patient Preparation: Any drug that causes alkalemia or acidemia may be expected to alter citrate excretion and should be avoided, if possible. The patient must avoid laxative use for 24 hours prior to collection.

Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)

Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube

Specimen Volume: 4 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.


Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.

Profile Information

Test ID Reporting Name Available Separately Always Performed
CITR2 Citrate Concentration, Random, U No Yes
CRETR Creatinine, Random, U No Yes
RAT10 Citrate/Creatinine Ratio No Yes

Method Name

Enzymatic

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Reject Due To

All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

Urinary citrate is a major inhibitor of kidney stone formation due in part to binding of calcium in urine. Low urine citrate levels are considered a risk for kidney stone formation. Several metabolic disorders are associated with low urine citrate. Any condition that lowers renal tubular pH or intracellular pH may decrease citrate (eg, metabolic acidosis, increased acid ingestion, hypokalemia, or hypomagnesemia).

 

Low urinary citrate is subject to therapy by correcting acidosis, hypokalemia, or hypomagnesemia by altering diet or using drugs such as citrate and potassium.

Reference Values

No established reference values.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

Same day/1 to 3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

CPT Code Information

82507

82570