Planning the test with us
Woodstock patients who've had stones can arrange this test through our Canton office or our Marietta Clinic & Surgery Center. Our team will give you the collection container and instructions before you start.
Why our urologists order it
A 24-hour collection measures substances in the urine that make stones more likely, such as calcium, oxalate, sodium and citrate, along with how much urine you make. The results guide prevention, which may include drinking more, adjusting salt or protein, or medicine. Analysis of a stone you've passed adds to the picture.
What the test measures
- Urine volume and pH
- Citrate
- Calcium and oxalate
- Uric acid and sodium
Common questions
Common questions
Do I need to change my diet beforehand?
Usually no special diet: eat and drink as on a normal day so the test reflects it. You get a jug and written instructions, collect every void for the full collection period and keep the jug cool.
When will I get results?
The lab reports urine volume, calcium, oxalate, citrate, uric acid and sodium, and we go over them at a follow-up visit. Each abnormal value leads to a specific change, such as more fluid, less salt or a citrate medicine.
Families from Woodstock, Towne Lake and Holly Springs can phone (678) 344-8900 with questions about the collection.
The collection is sometimes repeated over two days.
Bring the container back promptly, and let us know if you missed any collections.
Questions about the steps are always welcome.
Stones form when urine carries high levels of minerals and salts that stick together and harden. Blood work, such as a metabolic panel and calcium and uric acid levels, is often part of the same evaluation, with parathyroid testing when appropriate.
More on stones