What Is a 24-Hour Urine Test?

A 24-hour urine test is a laboratory test in which entire urine passed over a full 24-hour period need to be collected. It helps provide accurate information about how well the kidneys are working and about substances eliminated from the body. This test is more reliable than a single urine sample test.

Why Is This Test Done?

The 24-hour urine test helps assess kidney function and measure substances such as protein, salts, and waste products in the body. It is used to diagnose or monitor conditions such as kidney disease, high blood pressure, kidney stones, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and other health problems. For this test, you need to collect all your urine for a full 24 hours.

How Should You Prepare Before the Test?

Proper preparation is important to ensure accurate results. Following instructions carefully helps avoid errors.

• If your doctor has advised a special diet, follow those instructions.

• If no special instructions are given, you may continue your normal diet.

• Inform your doctor about all medicines you are taking, including allopathic, Ayurvedic, homeopathic medicines, vitamins, or supplements.

• Choose a day when you can stay at home or have a safe place to store the urine.

• Do not miss collecting any urine during the 24-hour period.

How Do You Collect Urine for 24 Hours?

To get accurate results, it is important to collect urine properly for the entire 24-hour period.

1. When you wake up in the morning, pass urine in the toilet and flush it. Write down the time—this will be your start time.

2. After that, collect all urine passed over the next 24 hours in the large container provided by the lab.

3. If the container already contains some liquid, do not throw it away and do not rinse the container.

4. First pass urine into a small container or pan, then carefully pour it into the large collection container.

5. Make sure:

o No toilet paper or stool enters the container

o No urine is spilled

6. Exactly 24 hours after the start time, collect your final urine sample in the container.

7. Keep the container in a refrigerator or in an ice box during the collection period.

8. Once the 24 hours are completed, take the container to the lab as soon as possible.

What Do the Results Mean?

After the report is ready, your doctor will explain what the results indicate. Do not try to interpret the results on your own.

What Questions Should You Ask Your Doctor?

After the test, you may ask your doctor:

• When will my report be ready?

• How will I receive my report?

• Do I need treatment?

• Are any additional tests required?

• What should I do next?

What Is Important to Remember?

In a 24-hour urine test, the first morning urine is discarded, and all urine passed over the next 24 hours is collected in a container. The urine must be kept cool and submitted to the lab immediately after the collection period ends.