Citric acid is a compound found in the body. It is formed when fats are broken down in the body, which occurs during metabolism. Almost all living things contain citric acid. It is found in high concentrations in citrus fruits, especially lemons. A urine test is done to test for levels of citric acid in the body.
Purpose
The test for citric acid is done when a doctor suspects kidney disease, or if you are having problems with kidney stones and the doctor needs to evaluate them.
Preparation
You don’t need to do anything to prepare for the test. Because your diet could affect the results, simply maintain your normal diet so that the test results will be accurate.
Collection
The test is done over a 24-hour period. You will be given a collection container. When you get up in the morning, urinate into the toilet like you normally would. Urinate into the container for the next 24 hours, including when you get up first thing the next morning. You must keep it in your refrigerator between the times you are collecting the urine. Write your name and the time and date of the completion of the test on the container before returning it to the laboratory as instructed.
Low Citric Acid
A low citric acid level is anything below 320 milligrams per 24 hours. This could be caused by renal tubular acidosis, kidney failure, diabetes, low levels of hormones from your parathyroid, or excessive muscle activity. Renal tubular acidosis is when the kidneys don’t filter the acid from the blood properly, causing the blood to be too acidic. Low citric acid causes an increased risk of calcium stones forming in the kidneys.
High Citric Acid
A high citric acid level is anything above 1,240 milligrams per 24 hours. This can be caused by a diet high in carbohydrates or too much vitamin D. Women on estrogen therapy can also show high levels of citric acid.