Urinary Pentanediol Creatinine Ratio (via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography)

What This Test Measures

Pentanediol is a chemical produced in the body that can be influenced by certain genetic or metabolic conditions. Creatinine is a waste product naturally produced by muscle metabolism and filtered by the kidneys. The ratio of these substances in urine helps doctors evaluate kidney function and screen for conditions like hereditary fructose intolerance or other metabolic disorders.

Why It’s Done

Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms like fatigue, nausea, or unexplained muscle weakness, or if you have a family history of metabolic disorders. It may also be used as part of a broader screening for conditions affecting how your body processes certain substances.

Sample Collection

A urine sample is collected in a clean container. You’ll likely provide a midstream clean-catch sample, where you first wipe the outer area of your genitals and then collect urine into the container. The sample is sent to a lab for analysis using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

Preparation

No special preparation is needed for this test. However, you may be advised to avoid certain foods or medications if your doctor suspects a specific condition being tested.