What does it mean when citrate level in urine is low?

Low citrate levels in urine can indicate a reduced ability of the kidneys to excrete citrate, which may be associated with conditions like metabolic acidosis or renal tubular acidosis. Citrate acts as a natural inhibitor of kidney stone formation, so low levels can increase the risk of developing calcium stones. Additionally, low urinary citrate may reflect dietary deficiencies, particularly in potassium or magnesium. It's important to evaluate low citrate levels in the context of overall metabolic health and dietary habits.