1. What is Oxalate/Creatinine Ratio?

Definition: This ratio compares the concentration of oxalate to creatinine in blood, used to assess oxalate excretion relative to kidney function.

Purpose: It helps in diagnosing and monitoring conditions like hyperoxaluria and kidney stone formation.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( Ratio \) — Dimensionless value
• \( Oxalate \) — Oxalate concentration in mg/L
• \( Creatinine \) — Creatinine concentration in mg/L

Explanation: The ratio normalizes oxalate levels against creatinine to account for variations in urine concentration.

3. Importance of Oxalate/Creatinine Ratio

Details: This ratio is crucial for assessing kidney health, identifying metabolic disorders, and monitoring treatment effectiveness for stone-forming patients.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter both oxalate and creatinine concentrations in mg/L. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is a normal oxalate/creatinine ratio?
A: In adults, normal range is typically 0.02-0.06 (mg/mg). Values above 0.1 may indicate hyperoxaluria.

Q2: Why use creatinine for normalization?
A: Creatinine excretion is relatively constant, making it a good reference for normalizing other urine constituents.

Q3: When is this test typically ordered?
A: For patients with recurrent kidney stones, suspected metabolic disorders, or monitoring of existing hyperoxaluria.

Q4: How should samples be collected?
A: Typically a 24-hour urine collection, though spot urine samples may also be used with this ratio calculation.

Q5: What factors can affect the ratio?
A: Diet, hydration status, kidney function, and certain medications can influence the results.