Levodopa/Creatinine Ratio, Urine
Measures the amount of levodopa in urine relative to creatinine, which can help assess how much levodopa the body is excreting.
["This urine test helps evaluate levodopa excretion, which may be affected by medication use, absorption, and kidney function."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 79577-3
- Short code
- L-Dopa/Creat Ur-sRto
- Synonyms
- L-Dopa/Creat Ur-sRto
- 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 test measures levodopa, a medicine used to treat Parkinson's disease, in urine. The result is compared with the amount of creatinine in the same sample because creatinine helps account for differences in urine concentration.
Why might I need this test?
A clinician may order this test to evaluate how much levodopa is being absorbed and excreted. It may be used when medication effectiveness or side effects are concerns, particularly when results need to be interpreted alongside kidney function and medication timing.
How is the test performed?
A urine specimen is collected and tested to determine the levodopa and creatinine amounts. The laboratory then calculates the levodopa-to-creatinine ratio. Your clinician may request a single urine sample or a timed collection, depending on the purpose of the test.
How do I prepare for the test?
Follow your clinician's instructions about when and how to collect the urine. If a timed or 24-hour collection is requested, collect all urine during the specified period and record the start and end times. Take levodopa and other medicines as prescribed, and tell the laboratory about medications taken near the collection time.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
A higher or lower levodopa-to-creatinine ratio may reflect changes in levodopa dosing, absorption, metabolism, kidney function, or urine collection. The result is interpreted with other clinical findings and should not be used alone to adjust medication.
Short name
Urine Levodopa/Creatinine Ratio
Frequently asked questions
What does the urine levodopa-to-creatinine ratio show?
Does this test show how well my Parkinson's medication is working?
Do I need to collect all of my urine for this test?
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