24 HOUR URINE CITRATE

You should get a 24-hour urine citrate test if you have recurrent kidney stones, a first stone at a young age, or a family history of kidney stones. It is also recommended for people with chronic diarrhea, renal tubular acidosis, or bowel surgery, and for monitoring potassium citrate treatment used to prevent stones.

To prepare for a 24-hour urine citrate test, discard your first morning urine and note the time. Then collect all urine for the next 24 hours, including the next morning’s first sample, and keep it refrigerated. Follow your usual diet and fluid intake, so results reflect your normal habits. Inform your doctor about potassium citrate or other medicines.

No, fasting is not required for a 24-hour urine citrate test. You should eat your usual diet and drink fluids normally during the collection period, so the results reflect your everyday habits. Collect every urine sample over the full 24 hours, and keep the container refrigerated.