Citrate concentration in plasma (24-hour urine collection)
This test measures how much citrate—a natural substance that helps prevent kidney stones—is present in your urine over a 24-hour period.
["Helps assess kidney function and risk of kidney stones."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 2128-7
- Short code
- Citrate Ur-mCnc
- Synonyms
- Citrate Ur-mCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why Is This Test Done?
Your doctor may order this test if you have symptoms like frequent kidney stones, unexplained kidney issues, or if you have a family history of kidney stones or certain kidney disorders. It can also help monitor kidney function in people with chronic kidney disease or other conditions affecting urine composition.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all your urine for a full 24-hour period, starting after you wake up and ending just before you wake up the next morning. Drink plenty of water to help flush out citrate naturally. Avoid certain medications or supplements that might affect results, such as some diuretics or vitamin supplements.
How the Test Works
The collected urine is analyzed in a lab to measure citrate levels. This helps determine if your body is producing enough citrate to prevent kidney stones or if levels are too low, which may indicate an underlying issue.
What the Results Might Mean
Low citrate levels in urine may increase your risk of kidney stones, especially calcium-based ones. High levels might suggest conditions like kidney disease or metabolic disorders that alter urine chemistry. Your doctor will interpret results in the context of your overall health and symptoms.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Citrate in urine plays a key role in preventing kidney stones by binding to calcium, which helps dissolve or prevent crystal formation. Low citrate levels can make kidney stones more likely, particularly in people with certain genetic or metabolic conditions. This test helps identify whether citrate production is insufficient and guides treatment decisions, such as dietary adjustments or medications to raise citrate levels.
Short name
Urine Citrate
Frequently asked questions
What causes low citrate levels in urine?
How can I naturally increase citrate in my urine?
Does diet affect urine citrate levels?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy