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Test ID OXU Oxalate, 24 Hour, Urine

Useful For

Monitoring therapy for kidney stones

 

Identifying increased urinary oxalate as a risk factor for stone formation

 

Diagnosis of primary or secondary hyperoxaluria

Testing Algorithm

See Hyperoxaluria Diagnostic Algorithm in Special Instructions.

Method Name

Enzymatic Using Oxalate Oxidase

Reporting Name

Oxalate, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL urine tube (Supply T465) or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 4 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Add 30 mL of toluene as preservative at start of collection or refrigerate specimen during and after collection.

2. Collect urine for 24 hours.

3. Specimen pH should be between 4.5 and 8 and will stay in this range if kept refrigerated. Specimens with pH >8 may indicate bacterial contamination, and testing will be cancelled. Do not attempt to adjust pH as it will adversely affect results.

Additional Information:

1. 24-Hour volume is required.

2. Avoid taking large doses (>2 g orally/24 hours) of vitamin C during specimen collection.

3. See Urine Preservatives in Special Instructions for multiple collections. 

 

Urine Preservative Collection Options

Ambient

No

Refrigerated

Yes

Frozen

Yes

6N HCl

No

50% Acetic Acid

No

Na2CO3

No

Toluene

Preferred

6N HNO3

No

Boric Acid

No

Thymol

Yes

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  14 days

Clinical Information

Oxalate is an end product of glyoxalate and glycerate metabolism. Humans have no enzyme capable of degrading oxalate, so it must be eliminated by the kidney.

 

In tubular fluid, oxalate can combine with calcium to form calcium oxalate stones. In addition, high concentrations of oxalate may be toxic for renal cells.

 

Increased urinary oxalate excretion results from inherited enzyme deficiencies (primary hyperoxaluria), gastrointestinal disorders associated with fat malabsorption (secondary hyperoxaluria), or increased oral intake of oxalate-rich foods or vitamin C.

 

Since increased urinary oxalate excretion promotes calcium oxalate stone formation, various strategies are employed to lower oxalate excretion.

Reference Values

0.11-0.46 mmol/24 hours

9.7-40.5 mg/24 hours

The reference value is for a 24-hour collection. Specimens collected for other than a 24-hour time period are reported in unit of mmol/L for which reference values are not established.

Cautions

Ingestion of ascorbic acid (>2 g/24 hours) may falsely elevate the measured urinary oxalate excretion.

 

Do not collect in metal-capped containers.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Saturday

Report Available

3 days

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Medical Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test was developed and its performance characteristics determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

CPT Code Information

83945

NY State Approved

Yes