Calcium in Urine Test
Reviewed
Also called: urinalysis (calcium), urinary Ca+2
A calcium in urine test measures the amount of calcium in your urine (pee).
Specimen: urine (24-hour collection)
Why this test may be ordered
- Diagnose kidney stones if you have symptoms
- Diagnose or monitor problems with how well your kidneys are working
- Learn more about how your parathyroid glands are working if you have symptoms of underactive parathyroid glands or have been diagnosed with overactive parathyroid glands
- Learn more about the cause of a bone disease you have, such as osteoporosis
- Learn more about the cause of abnormal results on a calcium blood test
Preparation and collection
Your provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. You may be asked to avoid certain foods and medicines for several days before the test. But don't stop taking any medicines without talking with your provider first.
You'll need to collect all your urine during a 24-hour period. This is called a 24-hour urine sample test. You will be given a special container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples. During the collection period, store the urine container in a refrigerator or in a cooler with ice.
There is no known risk to having a calcium in urine test.
Understanding results
If your calcium levels aren't normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment.
- Higher than normal urine calcium: Higher than normal calcium levels in urine may be a sign of many conditions, including: A kidney stone, Overactive parathyroid glands (hyperparathyroidism), Certain types of cancer, including cancer that spreads to the bones, Bone disorders, including Paget's disease of bone and osteoporosis, Sarcoidosis. Limitation: Urine calcium levels can be affected by: Your diet, for example, eating foods with a lot of sodium (salt), Certain supplements, such as taking too much vitamin D for a long period of time, Certain medicines, including antacids and some diuretics (water pills). Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- Lower than normal urine calcium: Lower than normal calcium levels in urine may be a sign of many conditions, including: Kidney disease, Underactive parathyroid glands (hypoparathyroidism), Too little vitamin D or magnesium, Malabsorption disorder, Malnutrition. Limitation: If your calcium levels aren't normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Next step: If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider.
- A calcium in urine test does not tell you how much calcium is in your bones; bone health is measured with a DEXA scan.
- Urine calcium levels can be affected by diet, supplements, and medicines, which may lead to false interpretation if not accounted for.
What to do next
If you have questions about your results, talk with your provider. A calcium in urine test does not tell you how much calcium is in your bones.
- Why do I need to collect urine for 24 hours instead of a single sample?
- How should I store the urine collection container during the test period?
- Can my diet affect my urine calcium levels?
- What should I do if I miss a urine collection during the 24-hour period?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.