Citrate
Also known as Citrate BloodWhat is this test?
This test is used to measure the level of citrate present in the blood. This test is recommended to diagnose conditions like altered blood clotting, change of normal Ph balance in the body(acidosis), etc.
What is blood citrate?
The citrate in the blood plays a role in maintaining the acid-base balance within the body. The Citrate in urine works as a natural antacid in the kidneys by neutralizing the excess of uric acid The citrate can also prevent microscopic calcium crystals from sticking together and forming stones by dissolving them. The levels of citrate can change in conditions which affect the metabolism like acidosis, hypokalemia, hypomagnesemia, etc.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed to know whether an individual is having abnormal citrate levels in the blood. Your doctor may ask to perform this test if you have kidney stones or if you experience any signs and symptoms such as severe back pain, frequent urination, nausea, vomiting, blood in the urine, fever or chills.
This test can also be recommended by your doctor if you are already a known patient of kidney stones (nephrolithiasis- a condition leading to the formation of excess of kidney stones), metabolic acidosis, hypokalemia(excessive potassium), hypomagnesemia (excessive magnesium), etc.
Precautions:
Certain medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and water pills may alter the test results. Inform your doctor about all the medications you take before the test.
Test Preparation
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Citrate. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Citrate.
No specific test preparation is necessary for this test.
Understanding your test results
If the test results fall in the normal reference range generally no medical intervention is necessary.
If you have higher or lower levels of citrate in the urine consult your doctor for further instructions. Based on the test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests.
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