Phosphate/Creatinine Ratio details
What Phosphate/Creatinine Ratio shows
The phosphate/creatinine ratio is calculated by dividing the phosphate measured in your urine by the creatinine in the same sample. Creatinine is released at a fairly steady rate, so using it as a reference helps adjust for how concentrated or dilute the urine is, and in a 24-hour collection it also helps check whether the collection was complete. The ratio helps look at how much phosphate your kidneys are excreting. A higher ratio suggests more phosphate loss, from diet, parathyroid activity or kidney phosphate wasting, while a lower ratio suggests the kidneys are conserving it. It is interpreted alongside blood phosphate, calcium and kidney function.
Tests that include Phosphate/Creatinine Ratio
Phosphorus is present in many foods, with a mean intake of approximately 1500 mg per day for adult males and about 1000 mg per day for adult females. Absorbed phosphate, under the influence of parathyroid hormone, is readily excreted in the kidney. Measurement of urinary phosphorus generally reflects dietary intake; hence, day-to-day excretion may show considerable variation.
- Creatinine, 24 Hour Measures the total creatinine passed in a 24-hour urine collection, used to check the collection is complete and to calculate kidney function and other urine results.
- Phosphate, 24 Hour Measures the total phosphate your kidneys excrete in urine over 24 hours, helping assess phosphate balance, kidney handling and kidney stone risk.
- Phosphate/Creatinine Ratio A ratio calculated from urine phosphate and urine creatinine, used to judge phosphate excretion while adjusting for how concentrated the urine is.
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