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HelpTest Code RAMBO Ammonium, Random, Urine
Reporting Name
Ammonium, Random, UUseful For
Diagnosis of the cause of acidosis using random urine specimens
Diagnosis and treatment of kidney stones
Method Name
Enzymatic
Performing Laboratory
Mayo Clinic Laboratories in Rochester
Specimen Type
UrineSpecimen Required
Supplies: Sarstedt 5 mL Aliquot Tube (T914)
Container/Tube: Plastic tube
Specimen Volume: 4 mL
Collection Instructions:
1. Collect a random urine specimen.
2. No preservative.
Specimen Minimum Volume
1 mL
Specimen Stability Information
| Specimen Type | Temperature | Time | Special Container |
|---|---|---|---|
| Urine | Refrigerated (preferred) | 14 days | |
| Frozen | 14 days | ||
| Ambient | 72 hours |
Reject Due To
All specimens will be evaluated at Mayo Clinic Laboratories for test suitability.Reference Values
Random: 3-65 mmol/L
No reference values established for <18 years and >77 years of age.
Day(s) Performed
Monday through Sunday
CPT Code Information
82140
LOINC Code Information
| Test ID | Test Order Name | Order LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| RAMBO | Ammonium, Random, U | 1842-4 |
| Result ID | Test Result Name | Result LOINC Value |
|---|---|---|
| RAMBO | Ammonium, Random, U | 1842-4 |
Clinical Information
The kidney regulates acid excretion and systemic acid base balance. Changing the amount of ammonium in the urine is one important way the kidneys accomplish this task. Thus, measuring the urine ammonium level can provide understanding of the cause of an acid base disturbance in individual patients.(1-3)
The urine ammonium level can also provide a lot of information about the daily acid production in a given patient. Since most of an individual's acid load comes from ingested protein, the urine ammonium is a good indicator of dietary protein intake.
Urine ammonium measurements can be particularly helpful for the diagnosis and treatment of kidney stone patients:
-High urine ammonium and low urinary pH suggests ongoing gastrointestinal losses. Such patients are at risk of uric acid and calcium oxalate stones.
-Low urine ammonium and high urine pH suggests renal tubular acidosis. Such patients are at risk of calcium phosphate stones.
-Patients with calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stones are often treated with citrate to raise the urine citrate (a natural inhibitor of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystal growth). However, citrate is metabolized to bicarbonate (a base), which can increase the urine pH. If the urine pH gets too high, the risk of calcium phosphate stones may have unintentionally been increased. Monitoring the urine ammonium concentration is one way to titrate the citrate dose and avoid this problem. A good starting citrate dose is about one-half of the urine ammonium excretion (in mEq of each). One can monitor the effect of this dose on urine ammonium, citrate, and pH values, and adjust the citrate dose based upon the response. A fall in urine ammonium should indicate whether the current citrate is enough to partially (but not completely) counteract the daily acid load of that given patient.(4)
Interpretation
If a patient has acidosis and the amount of ammonium in the urine is low, this is suggestive of a renal tubular acidosis.
If the amount of ammonium is high, this suggests that the kidneys are working normally and that there are other losses of bicarbonate in the body. Typically this implies gastrointestinal losses.
Cautions
The presence of sulfasalazine, sulfapyridine, or temozolomide may lead to false results.
Ammonium concentrations may be falsely low in samples with a pH above 8.0. Consider contamination and/or a urinary tract infection with a urease positive organism (including Ureaplasma urealyticum).
Clinical Reference
1. Peonides A, Levin B, Young W: The renal excretion of hydrogen ions in infants and children. Arch Dis Child. 1965 Feb;40(209):33-39
2. Kamel KS, Briceno LF, Sanchez MI, et al: A new classification for renal defects in net acid excretion. Am J Kidney Dis. 1997 Jan;29(1):136-146
3. Madison LL, Seldin DW: Ammonia excretion and renal enzymatic adaptation in human subjects, as disclosed by administration of precursor amino acids. J Clin Invest 1958. Nov;37(11):1615-1627
4. Coe FL, Evan A, Worcester E: Pathophysiology-Based Treatment of Idiopathic Calcium Kidney Stones. Clin J Am Soc Nephrol. 2011 Aug;6(8):2083-2092
Method Description
Urine samples diluted 1:100 with clinical laboratory reagent water using a liquid handler are analyzed on a Roche Cobas 6000 c501 using Roche Diagnostics NH3L kit.(Package insert: Roche NH3L kit. Roche Diagnostics; V10/2016)
Report Available
Same day to 2 daysSpecimen Retention Time
7 daysTest Classification
This test has been modified from the manufacturer's instructions. Its performance characteristics were determined by Mayo Clinic in a manner consistent with CLIA requirements. This test has not been cleared or approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.Forms
If not ordering electronically, complete, print, and send a Renal Diagnostics Test Request (T830) with the specimen.