Homogentisic Acid in Urine Test

Alkaptonuria is one of the genetic diseases that occur with there is Homogentisic acid present in your urine. It is a rare condition that arises due to the absence of enzyme Homogentisic Acid Oxidase. The primary symptom of this condition is the black color of the urine when it is exposed to air. However, sometime you might not check it, and thus the other symptoms include the black sweat, dark spot in the sclera of the eyes, discoloration of the skin, hip and joint pain. If you have such conditions and also suffering from the heart issues where the valves of your heart have become thick, then you must go for the homogentisic acid in urine.

There is no particular preparation required before the test. No fasting or change in the drinking habits is required. The doctor should know about your medical conditions and different medicines that you are taking before the test. The instructions given by the doctor plays a vital role in having an accurate result of the test and also help in future treatment as well.

The result of the test is based on the color change of the urine. After the addition the ferric chloride if the color of urine change to black then it means that you have homogentisic acid in the blood. Such result is called positive. If the color doesn’t change and remain unchanged or it doesn’t go black, then you don’t have Homogentisic in the blood. Such result is called negative. If there is positive result then for further treatment the cause of the acid is checked via the DNA test or blood test based on your family history and the medical history.

Being a urine test, it is essential for you to know that what time is most suited for taking the urine sample. For this test you must give the urine in the lab but not at home. Moreover, one should not touch the urine or keep it open for a longer time. Take the sample in the cup and cover the cup immediately. The urine sample is taken in a dark cup and cover right after its collection. Then with your name on the cup, the sample is taken to the lab. Then the ferric chloride is added to urine to check if you have homogentisic acid in your urine or not.