Calcium-Urine 24 hrs

High calcium in a 24‑hour urine (hypercalciuria) means your kidneys are excreting more calcium than normal. Causes include high dietary calcium or vitamin D, hyperparathyroidism, bone loss, certain medications, or a renal calcium leak. It raises kidney stone and bone‑loss risk. Doctors usually repeat testing, check blood calcium and PTH, review meds/diet, and recommend hydration and lower sodium/protein intake.

Normal urinary calcium excretion in a 24‑hour collection for adults is roughly 100–300 mg/day (about 2.5–7.5 mmol/day). Many labs use upper limits of ≈250 mg/day for women and ≈300 mg/day for men. Persistent values above these thresholds indicate hypercalciuria and merit evaluation (repeat testing while on a typical diet and assessment for dietary, metabolic, renal, or endocrine causes).

Costs for a 24‑hour urine calcium test vary by country, laboratory and insurance. Public health systems often cover it at no charge; private labs in India typically charge about ₹250–1,200. In the United States out‑of‑pocket prices commonly range from $30–$200, though insurance or Medicare may reduce or eliminate patient cost. Always check prices with your local lab or clinic.

Normal 24‑hour urine results vary by analyte and lab. Typical values: total protein <150 mg/day; albumin <30 mg/day (microalbumin 30–300 mg/day); creatinine ~14–26 mg/kg/day for men and 11–20 mg/kg/day for women; urine calcium about 100–300 mg/day. Sodium and potassium depend on diet and are interpreted against expected intake. Always compare with your lab’s reference ranges.

To reduce urinary calcium: stay well hydrated to dilute urine; cut dietary sodium and limit animal protein; avoid excessive calcium or vitamin D supplements while maintaining normal dietary calcium; increase fruits/vegetables to raise urinary citrate; maintain healthy weight; treat underlying causes (e.g., hyperparathyroidism); and, if needed, use prescribed medications such as thiazide diuretics. Discuss testing and personalized treatment with your doctor.

Cancers that commonly cause high urine calcium include those that produce hypercalcemia—notably breast cancer and other solid tumors with bone metastases, squamous-cell lung carcinoma (via PTHrP), multiple myeloma, and certain lymphomas (via increased calcitriol). Rarely, parathyroid carcinoma causes marked hypercalciuria. Any malignancy causing bone destruction or paraneoplastic PTHrP/calcitriol can raise urinary calcium.