Protected: Urine Acidification Test
Our Urine Acidification Testing service is provided at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.
Our private Renal Department at the Royal Free Hospital is recognised globally as a Kidney Centre of Excellence for its highly specialised care of local, national and international patients with kidney diseases. We offer screenings and tests for early detection of kidney disease.
What is Urine Acidification Test
A urine acidification test is a screening procedure for the condition Distal renal tubular acidosis (dRTA).
dRTA is a heterogeneous group of disorders characterized by impaired urinary acidification. It occurs when the kidneys fail to remove build-ups of acids circulating in the blood to the urine. It is more specifically the partial (or incomplete) form of dRTA where the level of serum bicarbonate in the blood is normal, but the urinary acidification is impaired. Urine acidification tests can detect these abnormalities.
Who is it for
Your consultants may refer you to a urine acidification test if you have the following conditions or symptoms:
- Incomplete distal renal tubular acidosis.
- Diagnosis may be suspected in individuals with nephrocalcinosis, and recurrent calcium phosphate stones.
- Family history of dRTA.
- Persistently alkaline urinary pH (after ruling out UTI).
The test is only offered to patients 18 years of age and above. We do not carry out the test on patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding women.
How is the test performed
Before your test begins, you will be advised to:
- Upon arrival, your clinician will ask you to collect 20 ml of urine into the universal container and measure baseline pH (T=0).
- Encourage drinking water throughout the test.
- You will be given 40mg of frusemide along with 1mg of Fludrocortisone orally.
- Collect urine samples in a universal container every 60 minutes after the dose.
- The test can be terminated as soon as urine pH reaches < 5.3 otherwise continue the test up to 5 hours post F&F dose before labelling the test as positive.
Risks and Complications
- Rarely significant lowering of blood pressure may occur. Adequate hydration is encouraged throughout the test. Your blood pressure will be checked and noted before you are discharged.
- Hypokalemia may rarely occur. Discuss with your clinician if such symptoms of cramps and postural hypotension.
Why choose Royal Free London Private Patients Unit
Our renal department is recognised globally for providing a comprehensive service with inpatient and outpatient facilities for investigation and treatment of patients with kidney problems. We provide general nephrology services across several hospital sites and run the dialysis and kidney transplantation services for the North Central sector of London.
Contact us Monday to Friday, 8am - 6pm:
Booking line: +44 (0) 20 4527 2993
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Royal Free Hospital, Hampstead
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