24-hour urine collection
24-hour urine test · 24-hour urine collection · 24-hour urine protein
You collect all your urine for 24 hours in one container. This shows the doctor how much protein, salts, and other substances leave your body in a day.
For kidney disease, protein in the urine, kidney stones, pregnancy, and diabetes.
⏱ Duration: collecting takes exactly 24 hours; results usually take 1 to 3 days
Be sure to tell your doctor
How to prepare
- Container. Get a large clean container for 24-hour urine from your clinic or a pharmacy, usually 2 to 3 liters.
- Routine. Drink as usual, not more and not less. Check with your clinic if you need to change what you eat.
- Medicines. Do not stop your medicines. If you take water pills, tell your doctor and they will decide.
- Plan. Choose a day when you will be at home. Missing even one portion ruins the test.
What to bring
- Your referral
- All the collected urine, or part of it, as your clinic says
- A note with the total urine volume for the day, and your height and weight if asked
How it goes
- In the morning, pass your first urine into the toilet and note the time
- After that, collect all your urine for the day in the container
- Keep the container closed in a cool place, usually the fridge
- Collect the last portion the next morning at the same time
- Measure the total volume and write it down
- Hand in all the urine or a mixed portion, as your clinic said
What you'll feel
- Nothing. It is just collecting urine
Afterwards
- You can go back to your usual routine right away
- Your doctor will explain the result
Common questions
Do I collect the first morning urine?
No. On the first day, it goes into the toilet and you note the time. But the first morning urine of the next day is collected.
What if I missed one portion?
It is better to start again on another day. Otherwise the result will be wrong.