24-Hour Urine Creatinine-to-Urate Ratio
This test measures the ratio of creatinine to urate (a form of uric acid) in your urine over 24 hours. It helps assess kidney function and how well your body is handling uric acid excretion.
["A 24-hour urine test to check kidney and uric acid balance."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 3088-2
- Short code
- Urate Cl 24h Ur+SerPl-vRate
- Synonyms
- Urate Cl 24h Ur+SerPl-vRate
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 7.2
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your healthcare provider may order this test if you have symptoms like kidney stones, gout, or unexplained kidney issues. It can also help diagnose conditions affecting how your body processes uric acid or filters waste from your blood.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all urine for 24 hours, starting after midnight of one day and ending just after midnight the next. Drink plenty of water to help flush out waste, but avoid special diets unless instructed by your doctor.
How the Test Works
Your urine sample is analyzed to measure creatinine and urate levels. Creatinine is a waste product from muscle metabolism, while urate is a breakdown product of purines. The ratio helps evaluate kidney function and uric acid handling.
What the Results Mean
Higher-than-expected ratios may indicate kidney problems or poor uric acid excretion, while lower ratios could suggest overproduction of uric acid or other metabolic issues. Your results will be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your overall health.
Reference range
NCBI: Uric Acid Male 3.5-7.2 mg/dL; Female 2.5-6.8 mg/dLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
This test is particularly useful for diagnosing or monitoring conditions like chronic kidney disease, gout, or hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels). It can also help assess how well medications for gout or kidney disease are working over time.
Short name
24h Urine Cr:Urate Ratio
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before this test?
Can I take my usual medications during urine collection?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy