What's this test for?

This test is ideal if you're trying to understand how much animal protein you're actually eating, whether for a diet plan, athletic training, or general nutrition tracking. It measures sulfate in your urine, which rises when you eat more meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. It's a simple way to check if your actual protein intake matches your dietary goals.

What's included in this test?

This test measures urinary sulfate, a marker that reflects how much protein-rich food, especially animal protein, you've recently eaten. Since sulfur-containing amino acids from meat, fish, eggs, and dairy get broken down and excreted as sulfate, this single marker gives a practical snapshot of your dietary protein habits.

What happens after I get my results?

Your results will show up in your account with the normal range explained so you can see exactly where your sulfate level falls. If your level suggests your protein intake is higher or lower than you intended, you can adjust your diet and retest in a few weeks to see the change. A downloadable lab report is available from your account at any time, and you can use the trends feature to track your sulfate levels over months to see how diet changes affect your results.

How can I naturally support healthy protein balance?

If your sulfate level shows you're eating more animal protein than needed, try swapping in more plant-based proteins like beans, lentils, and tofu a few times a week. If your level is lower than expected, add modest portions of lean meat, fish, or eggs to your meals. Staying hydrated also helps your body process and excrete sulfate normally, so drink plenty of water throughout the day.

When will I get my results?

Results are typically ready within about 7 days of your sample being processed at the lab. You'll get a notification as soon as your report is available in your account, so there's no need to check back constantly.

Who should consider this test?

This test is a good fit for anyone tracking their diet closely, including people following high-protein or plant-based diets, athletes monitoring nutrition, or anyone curious about how their eating habits show up in lab work. It's also useful if you're working on balancing your protein sources for health reasons.

What symptoms indicate I may need this test?

There aren't specific symptoms tied to urinary sulfate, but if you're noticing unexplained weight changes, muscle loss, or fatigue and suspect your protein intake may be off, this test can offer useful data. It's also helpful if you simply want objective feedback on whether your diet matches your protein goals.

What is urinary sulfate and why does it matter?

Sulfate is a byproduct that shows up in your urine after your body breaks down sulfur-containing proteins found mainly in animal foods like meat, fish, eggs, and dairy. Because the amount tracks closely with how much of these foods you eat, measuring it gives a real-world picture of your recent dietary protein intake. This matters because protein intake affects muscle health, metabolism, and overall nutrition balance.

What does a high sulfate result mean?

A higher than expected sulfate level usually means you've been eating more animal protein than your body needs, which for some people can mean rethinking portion sizes or adding more variety with plant proteins. It's not usually a sign of a serious problem on its own, but it's useful feedback if you're trying to moderate your protein sources. Cutting back gradually and retesting can show if your levels shift.

How often should I retest?

If you're actively adjusting your diet, retesting every 4 to 8 weeks can help you see whether your changes are having the intended effect. Once your sulfate level matches your goals, checking in every few months is usually enough to make sure you're staying on track.

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.Long story short: In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want. If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test. Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout. If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want. When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system. Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way. You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy! If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

How do I know which test to get?

In the test options, find the test you want. If you’re not sure which test to get, we can lend a hand in finding the right option. Just text or call us at 754-799-7833, email us at support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you. We've got your back and reply quickly.

When will my lab results be available?

Most test results will be available within 1–3 business days. Once they're ready, we'll send an email and text message to let you know. After your blood draw, just hang tight and don't worry – we'll keep you updated and in the loop! If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com, and we'll gladly help you.

Is it possible to make changes to my lab order if I made a mistake with the name, date of birth, or any other details?

Absolutely! We totally understand that errors can happen. No worries, we're here to help you. Just reach out to us via text at 754-799-7833 or shoot us an email at support@privatemdlabs.com. Remember to include your order number and let us know the correct information you’d like to update. Our awesome team will jump right in and make sure everything is sorted out and accurate for you. There are no changes necessary if your address is wrong on the requisition though. We don’t mail anything out. Our lab requires an address to be listed to generate an order.

Do you accept health insurance?

Only HSA & FSA is accepted. Our services are strictly self-pay and cannot be submitted to your health insurance provider except for Health Savings Accounts or Flexible Savings Accounts. This policy applies to all insurance companies, including federal health insurance programs like Medicare. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com.

Can I cancel my order?

Yes. We get it – sometimes your needs change. As long as your samples haven’t been collected yet, we’re happy to help you cancel your order. If you have any further questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com. You can read more about our cancellation policy here.

How can I find a lab location near me?

During the ordering process, you’ll be able to select a specific lab near you, with no strings attached! You can switch it up later easily and visit any of our authorized locations as long as it’s the same lab company you selected your test for (Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp). Before you proceed with your order, feel free to browse through all our lab locations here. This will give you the peace of mind of knowing that there's a lab nearby your home, office or your favorite gym. If you have any questions, please text us at 754-799-7833 or email support@privatemdlabs.com and we'll gladly help you.

Urine Sulfate Test - Track Animal Protein Intake

Getting your blood test with us is easy, private & backed by the power of science.

Long story short:

In the test options, use the filters or search box to narrow your choices and find the test you want.
If you need a hand navigating through options, text our super friendly support team at 754-799-7833, and we'll provide tailored suggestions to help you find the ideal test.
Once your order is placed, we’ll create your doctor’s lab order remotely, without any need for you to make a trip to a doctor in person or to talk to the doctor. Expect to receive your doctor’s lab order right in your inbox. It will also be in your patient portal if you need to find it later. We’ll also include instructions regarding fasting and other requirements for your test. Your patient portal will be auto-created hassle-free during checkout.
If this is your first time ordering, you'll be prompted to create a password for instant login access to your patient portal. It's a quick way to conveniently access your orders and results whenever you want.
When you’re ready, visit one of our 4,000 locations. Just bring your ID – no printing or faxing of your lab order is needed, as your order and details will already be in the lab system.
Note that most lab locations don’t accept walk-ins, so it’s best to book an appointment in advance. Don’t worry – we’ll provide detailed instructions along the way.
You’ll get your results via email & SMS and dive into understanding your body better. Yup, that easy!

754-799-7833

[email protected]