Laboratory Medicine Program

Oxalate
(Oxalic Acid)

Clinical Decription:
Measurement of oxalate levels in urine is useful in patients with urinary tract stones and in patients in which increased excretion of oxalate is known to occur (primary or secondary hyperoxaluria). Oxalate originates from exogenous sources (e.g. food rich in oxalates, such as spinach, rhubarb, tea, and soya beans) and endogenous sources (e.g. amino acid metabolism). High levels may be observed in ethylene glycol (antifreeze) ingestion.
<br/><em>Chiriboga J. Some properties of an oxalic oxidase purified from barley seedlings. Bio Chem Biophys Rss Commun II, 1963;277.</em>

Method: Referred Out

Component Tests Used: n/a

Reference Ranges Used:
All genders <=16 years | 161-483 | umol/d; Adult males | 92-564 | umol/d; Adult females | 46-368 | umol/d

Specimen Type: Urine 24 hour
Volume: 50 mL (minimum: 5 mL)

Shipping: 4C

Special Instructions: Restrict Vitamin C-rich foods and Vitamin C supplements (<2g/24 hr) for 48 hours prior to and during collection period. Discard first morning sample, collect all other urine for a 24 hour period, to include second morning sample. Record volume and aliquot

Testing Schedule(s): Weekly.

Turnaround Time: 5 days

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For more information, call 416.340.5227 or 1.866.865.5227

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