A random urine calcium:creatinine ratio is used to screen for hypercalciuria, as it is found to have a good correlation with 24-hour urine calcium excretion.1 Increased urinary excretion of calcium accompanies hyperparathyroidism, vitamin D intoxication, diseases that destroy bone (such as multiple myeloma), metastasis from prostatic cancer, and following calcium supplementation. Urine calcium is increased with immobilization, with steroid therapy, with Paget disease, and in primary (idiopathic) hypercalciuria.
1. Longman C. Disorders of phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D. In: Holliday MA, Barrat TM, Avner ED, eds. Pediatric Nephrology. 3rd ed. Baltimore, Md: Williams & Wilkins;1994:619-620.