Delivering Science Supporting Healthcare

Phosphate (urine)

Service
Test Background

Renal stones affect on average between 12-15 % of Caucasians (this figure varies among other population groups). Recurrence rates of up to 50 % within 5 years are not uncommon. Risk factors for recurrent renal calculi include low urine output, impaired renal function, hypophosphataemia and hypomagnesaemia, in addition to increased uric acid turnover, hypercalcaemia and hyperoxaluria.

Clinical Indications

Recurrent stone formation and/or family history of stone formation
Phosphate testing is often performed as a follow-up to an abnormal calcium level and/or related symptoms, such as fatigue, muscle weakness, cramps or bone problems

Reference Range

13-42 mmol/24 h

Sample volume
24 hour urine collection
Turnaround time
2 days
Sample & Container Required
24 hour urine collection acidified

Record last updated
August 26, 2025

Sample Container

24hr Urine Bottle (with acid warning label)

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Test Results

Yes, we have a Pathology User Guide

Yes. Please email your request to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net

Results are communicated to clinical staff and are normally not communicated direct to patients either on telephone requests or in written report. If you need to contact us please click here to view the contact details page

Please contact the Customer Service Team Monday to Friday from 8:30am – 6:00pm on 0203 313 5353. Alternatively, see the Pathology User Guide for how to contact the relevant department. If advice is not urgent you can also email your query to Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net

Additional tests may be added by discussion with the relevant laboratory. The time limit for adding additional tests to a sample already received in the laboratory will depend on the type of sample and the department it was sent to.

Information on the repertoire of tests performed by pathology, including reference ranges, turnaround times and specimen requirements, can be found in the test directory.

NWLP operates UKAS accredited medical laboratories as per the references below. The current scope of accreditation for all NWLP’s laboratories can be found on the UKAS website.

See the following UKAS ref numbers:

  • Clinical Biochemistry Ref: 8673
  • Haematology and Blood Transfusion Ref: 8674
  • Infection & Immunity Sciences (Including Immunology, Virology, Microbiology and Histocompatibility and Immunogenetics ) Ref: 8659
  • Cellular Pathology (Including Histopathology, Cytology and Molecular Pathology) Ref: 9615

If you require copies of our certificate of accreditation and associated documentation please contact Imperial.nwlpcustomerservice@nhs.net.

UKAS requires the laboratories to be accredited for a particular repertoire/scope (ISO15189), any changes or additions to repertoire require assessment by UKAS (extension to scope).

The BD Hospital Tube GuideBD GP Tube Guide and BD Paediatric Tube Guide provide visual references to the correct tube types and collection instructions.

Home testing

INSTRUCTION SHEET FOR BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION 

We also have two instruction videos available (one with subtitles and one without) – please click on the links to view the videos on Google.

VIDEO ON BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION (without subtitles)

VIDEO ON BLOOD SAMPLE COLLECTION (with subtitles)

Our accreditations

Upholding excellence in diagnostic standards

Our laboratories are accredited by the UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) against the international standard ISO15189:2022. UKAS is the accreditation body for the UK that assesses medical laboratories.

Find out more about our accreditations on the UKAS website.

UKAS website
Man in the lab handling a sample