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Test Code RURC1 Uric Acid/Creatinine Ratio, Random, Urine


Ordering Guidance


X-ray dyes and contrast media will affect test results.

-If a kidney X-ray with dye or computerized tomography (CT) scan with contrast has been performed, patient should wait a minimum of 1 day before starting collection.

-If a cholangiography (bile duct X-ray) has performed, patient should wait 7 days before starting collection.

-Urine must be collected before tablets have been taken for gallbladder X-ray, otherwise patient should wait 7 days before starting collection.



Specimen Required


Supplies: Sarstedt Aliquot Tube 5 mL (T914)

Collection Container/Tube: Plastic urine container

Submission Container/Tube: Plastic, 5-mL tube or a clean, plastic aliquot container with no metal cap or glued insert

Specimen Volume: 4 mL

Collection Instructions:

1. Collect a random urine specimen.

2. No preservative.


Secondary ID

621395

Useful For

Differentiation of acute uric acid nephropathy from other causes of acute kidney failure

 

For patients who cannot collect a 24-hour specimen, typically small children, a uric acid to creatinine ratio can be used to approximate 24-hour excretion

Method Name

URCO3: Uricase

CRETR: Enzymatic Colorimetric Assay

RTIO1: Calculation

Reporting Name

Uric Acid/Creat Ratio, Random, U

Specimen Type

Urine

Specimen Minimum Volume

1 mL

Specimen Stability Information

Specimen Type Temperature Time Special Container
Urine Refrigerated (preferred) 14 days
  Frozen  30 days
  Ambient  7 days

Reject Due To

All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.

Clinical Information

Uric acid is the end-product of purine metabolism. It is freely filtered by the glomeruli and most is reabsorbed by the tubules. There is also active tubular secretion.

 

Increased levels of uric acid in the urine usually accompany increased plasma uric acid levels unless there is a decreased excretion of uric acid by the kidneys. Urine uric acid levels reflect the amount of dietary purines and endogenous nucleic acid breakdown.

 

Acute uric acid nephropathy can cause acute renal failure due to uric acid precipitation within tubules. This is most commonly seen in patients with hematologic malignancies (eg, lymphoma, leukemia), often after acute lysis of cells by chemotherapy. Less commonly this may be seen with seizures, treatment of solid tumors, overproduction of uric acid in metabolic disorders such as Lesch-Nyhan syndrome or decreased uric acid reabsorption in the proximal nephron due to tubular disorder (Fanconi syndrome).

Reference Values

≥18 years: <0.60 mg/mg creatinine

Reference values have not been established for patients who are younger than 18 years.

Interpretation

Uric acid excretion can be either decreased or increased in response to a variety of pharmacologic agents.

 

Urine uric acid levels are elevated in states of uric acid overproduction such as in leukemia and polycythemia and after intake of food rich in nucleoproteins.

 

A uric acid to creatinine ratio (mg/mg) greater than 1.0 is consistent with acute uric acid nephropathy, whereas values less than 0.75 are consistent with other causes of acute renal failure.(1)

 

A timed 24-hour collection is usually the preferred method for measuring and interpreting this urinary analyte. Random collections normalized to urinary creatinine may be of clinical use in 2 scenarios, however:

-When acute renal failure secondary to uric acid is suspected, a uric acid to creatinine ratio (mg/mg) greater than 1.0 is consistent with acute uric acid nephropathy, whereas values less than 0.75 are consistent with other causes of acute renal failure.(1)

-In patients who cannot collect a 24-hour specimen, typically small children, a uric acid creatinine ratio can be used to approximate 24-hour excretion.

 

Pediatric Reference Ranges of Uric Acid/Creatinine (mg/mg)(2)

Age (year)

5th Percentile

95th Percentile

0-0.5

>1.189

<2.378

0.5-1

>1.040

<2.229

1-2

>0.743

<2.080

2-3

>0.698

<1.932

3-5

>0.594

<1.635

5-7

>0.446

<1.189

7-10

>0.386

<0.832

10-14

>0.297

<0.654

14-17

>0.297

<0.594

Method Description

Uric acid is oxidized by the specific enzyme uricase to form allantoin and peroxide. Peroxide reacts in the presence of peroxidase and a color reagent to form a red color, the intensity of which is proportional to the uric acid concentration.(Package insert: Roche Uric Acid Plus. Roche Diagnostics; V12.0 02/2022)

 

Creatinine Method: The enzymatic method is based on the determination of sarcosine from creatinine with the aid of creatininase, creatinase, and sarcosine oxidase. The liberated hydrogen peroxide is measured via a modified Trinder reaction using a colorimetric indicator. Optimization of the buffer system and the colorimetric indicator enables the creatinine concentration to be quantified both precisely and specifically.(Package insert: Creatinine plus v2. Roche Diagnostics; V2.0 03/2023)

Performing Laboratory

Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester

Test Classification

This test has been cleared, approved, or is exempt by the US Food and Drug Administration and is used per manufacturer's instructions. Performance characteristics were verified by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements.

CPT Code Information

84560

82570

Forms

If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.

Day(s) Performed

Monday through Sunday