Glutarate/Creatinine [Mass Ratio], 24-Hour Urine
Measures glutaric acid relative to creatinine in urine collected for 24 hours, often as part of evaluating possible glutaric acidemia.
["This test measures urinary glutaric acid in a way that helps reduce the effect of differences in urine concentration."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 44363-0
- Short code
- Glutarate/Creat 24h Ur
- Synonyms
- Glutarate/Creat 24h Ur
- Category
- kidney
- 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
What is this test?
This is a 24-hour urine test that measures glutaric acid, also called glutarate, relative to creatinine. The ratio helps account for how concentrated or dilute the urine is.
Why might I need this test?
It may be used when a patient or newborn screening results suggest a possible glutaric acid metabolism disorder. It is usually interpreted together with symptoms, medical history, genetic testing, and other laboratory studies.
How is the test performed?
You collect all urine for a full 24-hour period in the container provided by the laboratory. The laboratory then measures glutarate and creatinine and may calculate their ratio.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow the laboratory's collection instructions and ask whether urine should be refrigerated. Record the start and end times, include all urine produced during the period, and tell the care team about medications or supplements that may affect the results.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
An elevated glutarate-to-creatinine ratio may indicate increased urinary glutaric acid, which can occur in glutaric acidemia type I and certain other metabolic conditions. Results can also be influenced by diet, medications, collection accuracy, and age, so an abnormal result usually requires clinical correlation and confirmatory testing. A low result is generally less specific and may reflect variation in urine collection or metabolism.
Short name
24-hour urine glutarate-to-creatinine ratio
Frequently asked questions
Does this test diagnose glutaric acidemia?
Why is a 24-hour urine collection used?
What happens if the urine collection is incomplete?
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