Test ID: OXU
Oxalate, Urine
Useful For 
Suggests clinical disorders or settings where the test may be helpful
Monitoring therapy for kidney stones
Identifying increased urinary oxalate as a risk factor for stone formation
Diagnosis of primary or secondary hyperoxaluria
Clinical Information Discusses physiology, pathophysiology, and general clinical aspects, as they relate to a laboratory test
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 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.
0.11-0.46 mmol/specimen
9.7-40.5 mg/specimen
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.
Interpretation Provides information to assist in interpretation of the test results
An elevated urine oxalate (>0.46 mmol/day) may suggest disease states such as secondary hyperoxaluria (fat malabsorption), primary hyperoxaluria (alanine glyoxalate transferase enzyme deficiency, glyceric dehydrogenase deficiency), idiopathic hyperoxaluria, or excess dietary oxalate or vitamin C intake.
In stone-forming patients high urinary oxalate values, sometimes even in the upper limit of the normal range, are treated to reduce the risk of stone formation.
Cautions Discusses conditions that may cause diagnostic confusion, including improper specimen collection and handling, inappropriate test selection, and interfering substances
Ingestion of ascorbic acid (>2 g/day) may falsely elevate the measured urinary oxalate excretion.
Do not collect in metal-capped containers.
Clinical Reference Provides recommendations for further in-depth reading of a clinical nature
Wilson DM, Liedtke RR: Modified enzyme-based colorimetric assay of urinary and plasma oxalate with improved sensitivity and no ascorbate interference: reference values and sample handling procedures. Clin Chem 1991;37:1229-1235
External
link
PDF
document
Excel
document
Word
document