Ammonium chloride load test

The ammonium chloride load test is a test to check the function of the distal tubules. For patients with suspected or incomplete renal tubular acidosis [type I], two days after the withdrawal of alkaline drugs, 0.1 g per kg of body weight of oral ammonium chloride can be given in three divided doses for three consecutive days to acidify urine. liquid. Increase the burden of renal tubule excretion [H +], compare the urine pH before and after taking the medicine; or take the above amount of ammonium chloride and take the urine pH once every 3 to 8 hours, and the patient's blood [HCO3-] has decreased It is less than 20 milliequivalents per liter, and the urine pH cannot be lower than 5.5, which is positive for the test and valuable for diagnosing diseases. If the urine pH is less than 5.5, the test is negative. If patients with liver disease cannot use ammonium chloride, calcium chloride can be used instead.