Oxalate, 24 hour urine test: booking, price, and results
About Oxalate, 24 hour urine test: booking, price, and results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Urinary oxalate test, 24-Hour urine oxalate, oxalic acid urine test, urine oxalate quantitative |
| Sample Type | 24-hour urine collection |
| Fasting Required | No fasting is required; avoid vitamin C supplements and oxalate-rich foods (leafy greens, nuts & seeds, raspberries, kiwi, dates, etc.) for 24 to 48 hours before and during collection. |
| Report Time | 2 Days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages, particularly those with recurrent kidney stones or suspected hyperoxaluria. |
| Price | Starting at ₹1,800 |
What is an oxalate, 24 hour urine test?
The oxalate test or oxalic acid urine test measures the total amount of oxalate excreted in your urine over a full 24-hour period. Oxalate is a natural waste product of normal body metabolism that the kidneys filter and remove. When too much oxalate builds up in the urine, it can combine with calcium to form kidney stones. Doctors recommend this test to check the risk of kidney stones or to look into a condition called hyperoxaluria, which is when there are unusually high levels of oxalate in the urine.
What does an oxalate, 24 hour urine test measure?
This test analyses one key measurement from your collected urine sample. The table below explains what is assessed.
| Parameter | What It Reflects |
|---|---|
| Urinary Oxalate Excretion | The total amount of oxalate present in urine over 24 hours is used to evaluate the risk of having stones in the kidney and oxalate metabolism in the body. |
Oxalate is an end product of certain metabolic processes in the body. Because the body cannot break it down further, it must be cleared through the kidneys. Measuring total daily excretion provides a far more accurate picture than a single urine sample, since oxalate levels shift with hydration, diet, and time of day.
Why is an oxalate, 24 hour urine test done?
Doctors may request this oxalate urine test for several reasons, from investigating symptoms to monitoring a known condition.
Common symptoms that may prompt a doctor to order this test include:
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to order Urinary oxalate test:
- Severe pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin
- Urine that appears pink, red, or brown (blood in the urine)
- A frequent or urgent need to urinate
- Pain or burning during urination
- Passing only small amounts of urine despite feeling the urge
- Nausea, vomiting, or fever alongside urinary symptoms
Conditions this test can help detect
A urine oxalate quantitative test can help identify a range of conditions related to oxalate metabolism and kidney stone formation:
- Calcium oxalate kidney stones, the most common type of kidney stone
- Primary hyperoxaluria, a rare inherited condition where the liver overproduces oxalate
- Secondary hyperoxaluria caused by bowel disorders that affect fat absorption, such as Crohn's disease or post-surgical changes
- Idiopathic hyperoxaluria, where elevated urinary oxalate has no clear identified cause
- High oxalate excretion linked to excess dietary intake or high-dose vitamin C supplementation
Oxalate, 24 hour urine test for chronic disease monitoring
This test is a recognised tool for monitoring patients with recurrent kidney stones or diagnosed hyperoxaluria. Repeated testing over time allows doctors to track whether treatment or dietary changes are reducing oxalate excretion. Patients with conditions such as Crohn's disease or those who have had bariatric surgery may also have this test done regularly to assess their ongoing stone formation risk.
How to prepare and what to expect
The oxalate test procedure requires preparation before collection begins to ensure your results are accurate.
Do you need to fast?
No fasting is required for this test. However, you should avoid vitamin C supplements and oxalate-rich foods for 24 to 48 hours before and throughout the collection period, as these directly affect oxalate levels in the urine.
Practical tips before your test
Keep the following in mind before and during sample collection:
- Stop taking vitamin C (ascorbic acid) supplements at least 48 hours before you begin the collection.
- Avoid high-oxalate foods such as spinach, chocolate, coffee, tea, rhubarb, and beets during the collection period.
- Inform your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and supplements you are currently taking.
- Keep the collection container refrigerated throughout the entire 24-hour period.
- Bring a detailed clinical history including your symptoms, previous test results, and relevant medical history, as this is required for the test.
Step-by-step procedure
The collection process takes place at home over a full day. Here is how it works:
- On the morning of your collection day, empty your bladder as usual and discard this first urine. It is important to note the exact time, as your 24-hour collection period starts now.
- From now on, collect every drop of urine you pass for the next 24 hours in the sterile container provided.
- Keep the container in the refrigerator throughout the collection period. Do not leave it at room temperature.
- The following morning, collect your first urine of the day to complete the 24-hour period.
- Note the total volume on the label or requisition form as instructed by the laboratory.
- Please return the sample to the Lupin Diagnostics collection point promptly while keeping it refrigerated during transport.
Factors that can affect accuracy
Several factors can influence the reliability of your results:
- Incomplete collection (missing even one urine sample during the 24-hour period)
- Improper refrigeration of the sample container
- Consuming high-oxalate foods or vitamin C supplements during the collection window
- A history of bowel surgery or inflammatory bowel disease, which alters oxalate absorption
- Certain medications that affect oxalate metabolism
Understanding your oxalate, 24 hour urine test results
Your results reflect total oxalate excreted over the 24-hour collection period. The table below shows typical reference ranges used in clinical practice.
| Parameter | Normal Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Urinary Oxalate (Males) | 0 to 43 | mg/24 hours |
| Urinary Oxalate (Females) | 0 to 32 | mg/24 hours |
These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
The difference in 24-hour urine oxalate value ranges for men and women is primarily due to body size and muscle mass, rather than distinct metabolic differences.
Results during special conditions
Certain health conditions and lifestyle factors can raise oxalate levels beyond typical ranges.
Patients with Crohn's disease or other inflammatory bowel conditions often show significantly higher urinary oxalate due to impaired fat absorption, which increases gut uptake of dietary oxalate. Those who have undergone malabsorptive bariatric surgery, such as gastric bypass, face roughly double the kidney stone risk compared to those who have not had surgery, largely due to elevated urinary oxalate. High-dose vitamin C supplementation is another common cause of raised results, as the body converts ascorbic acid into oxalate. A diet consistently high in spinach, chocolate, tea, rhubarb, and similar foods may also push levels above the normal range.
How to maintain healthy levels
The following general wellness habits can support healthy oxalate excretion:
- Drink adequate fluids throughout the day. People prone to kidney stones are generally advised to aim for 8 to 13 cups of fluid daily.
- Include adequate calcium from food sources in your diet. Dietary calcium binds with oxalate in the gut, reducing how much is absorbed into the bloodstream and later excreted by the kidneys.
- Consider limiting oxalate intake to around 40 to 50 mg per day if your doctor has recommended a low-oxalate diet.
Lupin Diagnostics oxalate, 24 hour urine test price and home collection
The Oxalate, 24 Hour Urine test is available at Lupin Diagnostics starting at ₹1,800, with home collection available across cities. The table below shows city-wise pricing for reference.
| City | Approximate Price ( ₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 1800 |
| CHENNAI | 1800 |
| HYDERABAD | 1300 |
| KOLKATA | 1800 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 1300 |
| PUNE | 1800 |
Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to book
Booking your oxalate test online at Lupin Diagnostics is straightforward:
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home collection
Oxalate test home collection is available across cities through Lupin Diagnostics. A certified phlebotomist will deliver the sterile collection container to your home along with clear instructions. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, and your digital report is accessible via email or WhatsApp once ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Oxalate levels in urine shift throughout the day based on hydration, food intake, and the body's natural rhythms. A single sample would not capture this variation. Collecting all urine over 24 hours provides a complete picture of total daily oxalate excretion, making the result far more useful for assessing kidney stone risk.
Keep the container refrigerated at all times during the 24-hour collection period. This is essential for maintaining sample integrity. Do not leave it at room temperature, as this can alter the oxalate levels in the sample.
Yes, they can. The body converts vitamin C (ascorbic acid) into oxalate, which then appears in the urine. Stop taking all vitamin C supplements at least 48 hours before you begin collecting urine to avoid artificially raised results.
Avoid foods that are high in oxalate, including spinach, chocolate, coffee, tea, rhubarb, and beets. Also skip vitamin C supplements and foods that are particularly high in vitamin C during this period. Your doctor may provide a more specific list based on your usual diet.
This test is recommended for anyone with recurrent kidney stones, particularly calcium oxalate stones. It is also advised for people with a family history of primary hyperoxaluria, those with Crohn's disease or bowel surgery, and children who develop kidney stones at a young age, as an underlying metabolic condition is often the cause in younger patients.
If you have been diagnosed with hyperoxaluria or have had multiple kidney stones, this test helps your doctor track whether treatment or dietary changes are working. Repeated testing over time shows whether oxalate excretion is falling toward a healthier range, guiding any adjustments to your management plan.
No. This test is specific to oxalate-related stone risk. Other types of kidney stones, such as uric acid stones, cystine stones, and struvite stones, require different investigations. Your doctor may order additional tests alongside this one to build a complete picture of your kidney stone risk profile.
Oxalate, 24 hour urine test: booking, price, and results
