Mayo Clinic Laboratories > Renal > Urinary stone services > Urine supersaturation testing

Urine supersaturation

Increase understanding of metabolic traits

In patients for whom stone analysis is not available due to having a radiopaque stone, our kidney stone testing services can predict the likely composition of stones. This can help in identifying risk factors for stone development, designing a treatment program, and monitoring treatment effectivity. Our comprehensive approach supports your practice with accurate interpretation to help you make accurate and helpful clinical decisions.

1 in 11

1 in 11 PEOPLE IN THE UNITED STATES ARE AFFECTED BY KIDNEY STONES AT LEAST ONCE IN THEIR LIFETIME1

60–80%

60–80% OF PATIENTS WITH STONE EVENTS WILL HAVE RECURRENT EPISODES LATER IN LIFE2

~50%

~50% OF FIRST-TIME SYMPTOMATIC URINARY STONE CASES DO NOT INCLUDE COMPOSITION ANALYSIS3

Urine supersaturation TEST MENU

Urine supersaturation Urine supersaturation

Urine supersaturation

Key testing

Advantages

  • Identifies urinary supersaturations that increase the risk of specific types of stones.
  • Identifies specific urine abnormalities that increase overall saturation.
  • Aids accurate treatment plan development.
  • Monitors treatment effectiveness.
  • Aids in reducing stone recurrences.

Advantages

  • Similar to SUP24 but allows for at-home collection to conveniently facilitate a complete collection and help ensure optimal results.
  • Upon ordering, the patient’s address will be entered, and the collection kit sent directly to the patient’s home for collection. In addition to necessary testing equipment, the kit includes a prepaid shipping container to send the sample directly to Mayo Clinic Laboratories.
  • *Note: Clients must contact Mayo Clinic Laboratories prior to order to establish home collection service.

Advantages

  • Particularly helpful for pediatric patients when 24-hour stone collection is not possible.
  • Identifies urinary supersaturations that increase the risk of specific types of stones.
  • Identifies specific urine abnormalities that increase overall saturation.
  • Aids accurate treatment plan development.
  • Monitors treatment effectiveness.
  • Aids in reducing stone recurrences.
View now Urine supersaturation sample report

More information

Clarity, not questions

Comprehensive analysis of test results by our experts, who apply the most up-to-date scientific data, enables clear answers that illuminate the likely components of a patient’s stone(s). Our detailed report interpretations include patient-specific diagnostic comments that equip physicians with a deeper understanding of a patient’s condition and therapeutic comments highlighting treatment recommendations based on test results. In addition, our reports include:

  • Patient's historical test results, which can assist physicians in understanding previous results and help assess whether a treatment is working or if alternative treatments should be considered.
  • Commentary on changes since previous testing to alert physicians on new developments.

When to consider testing

  • In patients with new or recurrent histories of urinary stones.
  • In patients with known risk factors for stones.
  • When a stone is unavailable for analysis to determine the most likely type.
  • In conjunction with a kidney stone analysis to determine patient-specific risk factors.

Test ordering pattern recommendations 

  • Order two tests to assess risk factors.
  • Repeat testing 4–6 weeks after the start of a treatment plan to determine effectiveness and modify accordingly.
  • Test annually for further evaluation.

Supersaturation analytes evaluated

  • Ammonium
  • Calcium
  • Chloride
  • Citrate excretion
  • Creatinine
  • Magnesium
  • Osmolality
  • Oxalate
  • pH
  • Phosphorus
  • Potassium
  • Sodium
  • Sulfate
  • Urea nitrogen
  • Uric acid

Highlights

Results report simplifies urine test interpretation: John Lieske, M.D.

John Lieske, M.D., explains why it's now easier for clinicians to pull information from Mayo Clinic Laboratories' supersaturation test report. An updated format summarizes complex information to help guide the treatment of kidney stones.

Learn more
References
  1. Alelign T, Petros B. Kidney stone disease: an update on current concepts. Adv Urol. 2018;2018:3068365. 
  2. Goldfarb DS, Arowojolu O. Metabolic evaluation of first-time and recurrent stone formers. Urol Clin North Am. 2013 Feb;40(1):13–20. 
  3. Singh P, Enders FT, Vaughan LE, et al. Stone composition among first-time symptomatic kidney stone formers in the community. Mayo Clin Proc. 2015;90(10):1356-1365. doi:10.1016/j.mayocp.2015.07.016
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