24-Hour Urine Sample Collection Instructions

A 24-hour urine sample measures the components of your urine in order to assess your kidney function. It requires the collection of your urine, in a special container, over a 24-hour period.

Things to remember:

• Unless otherwise instructed by your physician, continue to maintain your usual diet, medication and liquid intake.
• Do not drink alcoholic beverages.
• This is not a contest or a test to see how much urine you can collect in a 24-hour period.
• You must obtain a special collection container prepared by our laboratory staff. It may contain a preservative that may be caustic. Please do not spill the contents of the container.

Instructions:

• Empty your bladder into the toilet when you get up in the morning. Record the time and date on your container label. Do not include this urine in your timed collection.
• For the remainder of the 24-hour period, collect all urine you pass and immediately add it to the special collection container.
• The test ends 24-hours from the first (uncollected) specimen the day before. Record the end time on the container label as "Date and Time Completed."
• If you are unable to collect a urine sample at the time you are to end your test do not extend the collection time.
• Unless instructed otherwise by laboratory personnel, the urine container must be kept refrigerated or in a cool place during the collection.
• Return the 24-hour urine container to the laboratory as soon as possible after the collection is completed.
• Depending on the test your physician ordered, you may be required to have a sample of blood drawn when you return your container to the laboratory.

How do I get the results?

All laboratory results will be sent directly to the physician who ordered the tests. Due to regulations, laboratory employees are not permitted to give results to patients. Please contact your doctor for the results of their tests.