: Citrate, Timed Specimen, Urine, Quantitative

: What Is Being Tested

: Citrate is a small molecule produced naturally in your body and filtered into the urine by the kidneys. In urine, citrate helps bind calcium and makes the urine less likely to form certain crystals. Measuring it in a timed urine collection shows how much citrate your kidneys are passing over a defined period.

: How the Test Is Done

: You will collect all your urine over a set period (often 24 hours) in a container provided by the laboratory. The collection is timed from start to finish, and the total volume is recorded. Your provider or the lab will give you specific instructions on when to begin and end the collection.

: What the Results Can Mean

: Low urine citrate can occur with certain diets, some medical conditions, or medicines, and it is associated with a higher chance of forming some types of kidney stones. Results are interpreted together with urine volume, diet, other urine tests, and your medical history. Normal and abnormal cutoffs vary by laboratory and method, so your report’s own reference values are the ones that apply.

: Preparing for the Test

: Follow any instructions from your care team about food, fluids, and medicines before and during the collection. Because citrate can be affected by diet and by how completely you collect the urine, tell the laboratory if any urine was missed during the collection period.