Definition

Citric acid urine test measures the level of citric acid in urine.

Alternative Names

Urine - citric acid test; Renal tubular acidosis - citric acid test; Kidney stones - citric acid test; Urolithiasis - citric acid test

How the Test is Performed

You will need to collect your urine at home over 24 hours. Your health care provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.

How to Prepare for the Test

No special preparation is necessary for this test. But the results are affected by your diet, and this test is usually done while you are on a normal diet. Ask your provider for more information.

How the Test will Feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the Test is Performed

The test is used to diagnose renal tubular acidosis and evaluate kidney stone disease.

Normal Results

The normal range is 320 to 1,240 mg per 24 hours.

Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

What Abnormal Results Mean

A low level of citric acid may mean renal tubular acidosis and a tendency to form calcium kidney stones.

The following may decrease urine citric acid levels:

• Long-term (chronic) kidney failure
• Diabetes
• Excessive muscle activity
• Medicines called angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Parathyroid glands do not produce enough of its hormone (hypoparathyroidism)
• Too much acid in the body fluids (acidosis)

The following may increase urine citric acid levels:

• A high carbohydrate diet
• Estrogen therapy
• Vitamin D

Risks

There are no risks with this test.

References

Dixon BP. Renal tubular acidosis. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, Shah SS, Tasker RC, Wilson KM, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 547.

Oh MS, Briefel G, Pincus MR. Evaluation of renal function, water, electrolytes, and acid-base balance. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 15.

Pearle MS, Antonelli JA, Lotan Y. Urinary lithiasis: etiology, epidemiology, and pathogenesis. In: Partin AW, Dmochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 91.

Seifter JL. Acid-base disorders. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 104.