What It Is
A urine calcium test is done to determine how much of the mineral calcium is being
excreted in the urine (pee) by the kidneys.
Why It's Done
A urine test for calcium is often done to:
- help find the cause of kidney
stones and other kidney diseases
- detect overactivity or underactivity in the parathyroid glands (glands in the
neck that make hormones that help control the level of calcium in the blood)
- monitor disorders of the kidney and diseases of calcium metabolism
The test results also may point to digestive disorders that harm the small intestine's
ability to absorb nutrients. The urine calcium test is usually used in combination
with other tests to make a specific diagnosis.
Preparation
The doctor might prescribe a special diet with high or low levels of calcium for
a few days before the test. Your child might need to temporarily stop taking specific
drugs, such as antacids, that affect calcium levels in the urine.
The Procedure
Collecting the specimen should only take a few minutes. Your child will be asked
to pee into a clean sample cup in the doctor's office. If your child isn't potty trained
and can't urinate into a cup, a small catheter may need to be inserted into the bladder
to get the urine specimen.
Alternatively, a urine collection bag with adhesive tape on one end may be used
to collect a sample from an infant. You'll clean your baby's genital area and then
arrange the bag around the urinary opening. Once the bag is in place, secure it with
the attached tape. You can then put a diaper on your baby. Check your baby's collection
bag and remove it after your child has urinated, usually within an hour.
After you bring the sample to the lab, technicians will analyze it for calcium
content.
What to Expect
Because the test involves normal urination, there shouldn't be any discomfort as
long as your child can provide a urine specimen.
Getting the Results
The results of the urine calcium test are usually available in 1-2 days. Your doctor
will go over the results with you and explain what they mean. If abnormalities are
found, your doctor may may want to do further tests to make a specific diagnosis.
Risks
Infants may occasionally experience skin irritation from the adhesive tape on the
collection bag. If a catheter is used to obtain the urine, it may cause temporary
discomfort. If you have any questions or concerns about this procedure, talk to your
doctor.
Helping Your Child
Urine collections are usually painless. Explaining how the test will be conducted
and why it's being done can help ease any fear. Make sure your child understands that
there should be no foreign matter, such as toilet paper or hair, in the sample.
If You Have Questions
If you have questions about the urine calcium test, speak with your doctor.
