The ammonium chloride load test is used to assess the kidney's ability to acidify the urine in response to an acid challenge. It involves administering ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) orally, which dissociates in the body to release ammonia (NH₃) and hydrogen ions (H⁺). This provides an acid load, and under normal conditions, the kidneys should excrete excess hydrogen ions to maintain pH balance.
This test should be performed under appropriately safe and supervised conditions.
Type 1 RTA -Patients will show a high urine pH (>5.5) and an inability to acidify the urine after the ammonium chloride challenge.
Type 2 RTA - Patients will show a lower urine pH (below 5.5), though not as low as in individuals with normal kidney function, and will be able to acidify urine, but less effectively than a healthy person.
In this case the patient demonstrated a Type 1 Renal Tubular acidosis with high urine pH
