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Interpretive Handbook

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Test 81679:
Calcium Excretion, 2-Hour Collection, Fasting, Urine

Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test

Urine calcium is a reflection of dietary intake, bone turnover, and renal excretion mechanisms. At steady-state excretion is usually approximately 30% of the dietary intake.

 

Patients with renal lithiasis often (35%) have increased urine calcium which may reflect an increased intake or an abnormality in the above mechanisms.

 

Therapy for hypercalciuria depends on the cause. Increased calcium in diet or increased gastrointestinal absorption usually responds to dietary restriction while hypercalciuria from other mechanisms usually responds to thiazides. Diet restriction is contraindicated in the nonabsorptive groups and thiazides are usually unnecessary or ineffective in the former group.

Useful For Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful

Differentiating absorptive from nonabsorptive causes of hypercalciuria

Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results

If a patient is hypercalciuric and on a 1 g calcium diet, urine calcium results from a 2-hour urine specimen after 14 hours of fasting:

 

Level

Cause for hypercalciuria

<20 mg/2-hour specimen or

<0.15 calcium/creatinine ratio

Increased gut absorption

>30 mg/2-hour specimen or

>0.15 calcium/creatinine

Nephrogenic or metabolic indeterminate

20 mg/2 hour to 30 mg/2-hour specimen

Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances

Hypercalciuria is markedly dependent on sodium excretion and results may be altered if very low or high sodium diets are allowed.

 

Patients should drink distilled or deionized water during the test.

 

Exact timing and volume measurement are essential.

Reference Values Describes reference intervals and additional information for interpretation of test results. May include intervals based on age and sex when appropriate. Intervals are Mayo-derived, unless otherwise designated. If an interpretive report is provided, the reference value field will state this.

Absorptive hypercalciuria: <20 mg calcium/2-hour specimen or a calcium/creatinine ratio of <0.15

Nonabsorptive hypercalciuria: >30 mg calcium/2-hour specimen or a calcium/creatinine ratio of >0.15

Indeterminate: 20-30 mg calcium/2-hour specimen

Clinical References Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature

Pak CY, Oata M, Lawrence EC, Snyder W: The hypercalciurias. Causes, parathyroid functions, and diagnostic criteria. J Clin Invest 1974;54:387-400