Specimen Requirements

Title

Calcium, 24 HR Urine

Specimen Requirement

Discard first morning urine, then collect all urine for a 24 hour period. Record the total volume, mix well and send 25 mL urine in a sterile screw capped container. Indicate total volume on urine container and requisition.

Methodology

Colorimetric

Stability

Room temp: 14 days, Refrigerated: 14 days, Frozen: 14 days

Reference Range

By Report*

Turnaround

1 day

Clinical Use

Reflects intake, rates of intestinal calcium absorption, bone resorption and renal loss. Those processes relate to parathyroid hormone and vitamin D levels. Evaluation of bone disease, calcium metabolism, renal stones (nephrolithiasis); idiopathic hypercalciuria, and especially, parathyroid disorders. Follow-up of patients on calcium therapy for osteopenia.

Test Code

24CAP