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24-Hour Urine Collection patient laboratory instruction infographic artwork
Step-by-Step Lab Protocol

Patient Lab Instructions

INSTRUCTIONS FOR 24 HOUR URINE COLLECTION

PURPOSE: To determine the patient's renal function and the amount of protein excretion in the urine.

Visual Timeline: The 24-Hour Protocol at a Glance

Day 1 — 7:00 AM

Discard 1st Urine

Pee into toilet upon waking. Do NOT save first urine.

Day & Night

Collect Every Drop

Collect all urine from 7:01 AM onwards into container.

Storage Rule

Keep Strictly Cold

Keep in refrigerator or ice chest at all times.

Day 2 — 7:00 AM

Final Void & Lab

Final morning collection. Prompt lab return & blood draw.

1 Pick Up Container 10–15 Days Prior

Take laboratory slip to the lab 10 to 15 days before your next scheduled appointment to obtain your container for collection.

2 Day 1 Start — Discard First Morning Urine Sunday Morning (Wake Up)

We suggest you start your 24 hour urine collection on a Sunday. On the Sunday you begin collecting your urine, empty your bladder into the toilet when you get up in the morning.

⚠️ DO NOT INCLUDE THIS FIRST URINE IN YOUR TIMED COLLECTION. Discard it completely into the toilet. Collection starts immediately with your 2nd urine of the day. Record your exact start time.
3 Continuous Collection Period Sunday Continuous (All Day & Night)

All urine for the rest of the day and throughout the night must be collected into the container. This is extremely important, otherwise results will not be accurate. Every single drop must be collected.

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CRITICAL REQUIREMENT: KEEP URINE COLD AT ALL TIMES

IMPORTANT: URINE COLLECTION SHOULD ALWAYS BE KEPT COLD. YOU MAY KEEP IT IN THE REFRIGERATOR OR AN ICE CHEST AT ALL TIMES DURING THE COLLECTION PERIOD.

4 Fasting Cutoff for Blood Work Sunday 11:00 PM

If Doctor has ordered other blood tests, we suggest getting all blood work done at the time you turn in your 24 hour urine collection. Blood work will need to be done while fasting. Please avoid food and drinks after 11:00 PM on the Sunday of your collection (nothing by mouth except water and essential prescription medications).

5 Final Urine Collection Monday Morning Wake Up (Exact Same Time)

The next morning (Monday), your first morning urine at the exact same start time (e.g., 7:00 AM) will be the last time urine is collected. Collect this final urine sample into your container to complete the 24-hour period.

6 Lab Return & Fasting Blood Draw Monday Morning (Post-Collection)

Please take your urine collection to the lab as soon as it is completed while fasting.

Your blood sample will be drawn for Creatinine on the day you return your urine collection as well as any other lab testing ordered by your doctor, as it is our suggestion to complete all at once if possible.

Please contact our office should you have any questions at (559) 661-1965.

Patient Schedule & Laboratory Tracking Log

Row 1: Container Pickup

Pick up container:

Date:
Time:
Container ID / Lot:
Row 2: Collection Start

Start urine collection:

Start Date:
Exact Start Time:
Row 3: Collection Turn-In

Turn in & blood work:

Finish Date:
Exact Finish Time:
Total Vol (mL) / Notes:
Call (559) 661-1965