How to Collect Your 24-hour Urine Specimen

You are to complete a 24-hour urine test.  This means you must collect and save all your urine over a 24-hour period of time.  This test is done to see how well your kidneys are working.  Here’s what you need to do:

1.          Pick up your supplies at the lab:

Ø  A plastic jug to hold your urine labeled with your name and date of birth

Ø  A basin called a “hat” that fits under the toilet seat to catch your urine

2.          Pick a day when you will be able to collect and save all your urine.

3.          Pick a time that day to start the test.  Urinate at this time and flush.  Do not save this urine.

Ø  Begin the test before 2:00 p.m. to allow time the next day to bring the jug of urine into the lab and get your blood drawn (if needed) before the clinic closes.

4.          Save all of your urine each time you urinate by catching it in the “hat” or a clean container, such as a well-washed coffee can.  Each time you urinate; pour all of the urine from the clean container into the plastic jug from the lab.

5.          The plastic jug of urine should be kept cold during the entire test.  You can keep it in the refrigerator or on ice in a cooler or other container.

6.          Try to urinate at the end of the 24 hours.  Put this last urine into the plastic jug.

7.          Bring the plastic jug to the lab as soon as possible.  You may need to get your blood drawn when you bring the urine to the lab.  This will complete your test.

Here is an example to help you:

1.          Make 9:00 a.m. your start time.  Urinate but do not save this urine.

2.          Collect and refrigerate all of your urine from this time on.

3.          At 9:00 a.m. the next day, urinate and put this urine into the plastic jug.

4.          Bring the plastic jug of urine to the lab and have your blood drawn (if needed).