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The Next Morning: Back to the Clinic: Some tests will have a preservative put into the jug. This is to remain in the jug for the whole duration of collecting. We provide urine hats for those collections. A urine hat looks like a plastic hat. It fits on the toilet and you can urinate in it to collect your urine for the test. When you return the jug the lab does not want the urine hat back. Please discard the urine hat at home before coming into the clinic. If you have any questions regarding the test or collection, please feel free to call us at 952-927-7810. Print Urine Collection Instructions > Download (PDF) What is a 24-hour urine collection?A 24-hour urine collection is a simple lab test that measures what’s in your urine. The test is used to check kidney function. A 24-hour urine collection is done by collecting your urine in a special container over a full 24-hour period. The container must be kept cool until the urine is returned to the lab. Urine is made up of water and dissolved chemicals, such as sodium and potassium. It also contains urea. This is made when protein breaks down. And it contains creatinine, which is formed from muscle breakdown. Normally, urine contains certain amounts of these waste products. It may be a sign of a certain disease or condition if these amounts are not within a normal range. Or if other substances are present. Why might I need a 24-hour urine collection?A 24-hour urine collection helps diagnose kidney problems. It is often done to see how much creatinine clears through the kidneys. It’s also done to measure protein, hormones, minerals, and other chemical compounds. Conditions that can cause kidney disease include:
There may be other reasons for your healthcare provider to advise 24-hour urine collection. What are the risks of a 24-hour urine collection?A 24-hour urine collection is a safe, easy test. People can collect urine on their own. Certain factors may affect the accuracy of a 24-hour urine collection. These include:
There may be other risks depending on your specific health problems. Discuss any concerns with your healthcare provider before the collection. How do I get ready for a 24-hour urine collection?
Based on your health condition, your healthcare provider may request other specific preparation. What happens during a 24-hour urine collection?A 24-hour urine collection may be done on an outpatient basis. This means you go home the same day. Or it may be done during a hospital stay. Procedures may vary depending on your condition and your healthcare provider's practices. Generally, a 24-hour urine collection follows this process:
What happens after a 24-hour urine collection?There is no special type of care after a 24-hour urine collection. But your healthcare provider may give you other instructions after the procedure, depending on your particular situation. Next stepsBefore you agree to the test or the procedure make sure you know:
Why do you discard the first urine in a 24Note: Urine voided first thing in the morning is the most concentrated specimen of the day. If one collects these concentrated specimens from two mornings, then the concentration of substances that are measured is falsely increased.
When giving a patient instructions for a 24You should collect every drop of urine during each 24-hour period. It does not matter how much or little urine is passed each time, as long as every drop is collected. Begin the urine collection in the morning after you wake up, after you have emptied your bladder for the first time.
When obtaining a 24The 24-hour collection period begins when you get up in the morning and empty your bladder. DO NOT SAVE THIS URINE. THE FIRST VOIDING OF THE DAY IS DISCARDED.
Why should a patient not void directly into a 24The 24-hour collection container may contain chemicals (as a preservative) that are hazardous. DO NOT urinate directly into the container.
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