Calcium/creatinine ratio

Doctors order calcium/creatinine ratio to patients who represent with the following:

• Easy fractures due to diseases related to bone such as multiple myeloma, Paget’s disease and gout
• Kidney stones
• Severe pain in abdomen due to gastrointestinal diseases such as peptic ulcer and pancreatitis 
• Anxiety, confusion and irritability in diseases related to the nervous system
• Deposition of calcium in blood vessels of the heart such as in myocardial calcification and left ventricular hypertrophy 
• Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia
• Weakness and psychological depression which are frequently associated with high calcium in urine

The test is also used to monitor calcium in urine after vitamin D supplementation.

Calcium/creatinine ratio is advised to children presenting with the following symptoms:

• Blood in urine
• Pain in the abdomen while passing urine
• Frequent urination
• Sudden urge to pass urine
• Kidney stones
• Frequent urinary tract infections
• Low calcium in bones

Calcium level and calcium/creatinine ratio are tested in a random sample of urine. You do not require any special preparation for this test. Fasting is not necessary for calcium/creatinine ratio. Before the test, you must inform your doctor if you are on any medications.

(Health checkup app)

Calcium/creatinine ratio is calculated using calcium and creatinine levels in a random urine sample. The random urine sample is collected in a urine transport tube, which contains a pH stabiliser to maintain the acidity of the sample. The turnaround time or the time period from collection of a urine sample to generation of reports for calcium/creatinine ratio is one day.

Normal results: 

In adults, a urine calcium/creatine ratio of <0.14 is normal and <0.18 is considered to be optimal.

Normal results indicate normal levels of calcium and creatinine in urine and that there is no excess of calcium excreted from kidneys. 

Abnormal results:

In adults, a calcium creatinine ratio of >0.20 indicates an excess of calcium in the urine.

A high value of calcium/creatinine ratio is seen in conditions like:

• Hyperparathyroidism
• Kidney stones
• Multiple myeloma
• Paget’s disease
• Overdose of vitamin D

In some cases, the results obtained from spot or random calcium/creatinine ratio are not correct and do not detect a high level of calcium in urine. Doctors usually suggest a 24-hour urine collection (urine sample that is collected every time you pass urine during 24 hours) in such cases for diagnosing hypercalciuria or increased levels of calcium in the urine.

(Read more: Calcium urine test)

Disclaimer: All results must be clinically correlated with the patient’s complaints to make a complete and accurate diagnosis. The above information is provided from a purely educational point of view and is in no way a substitute for medical advice by a qualified doctor.