It is important that an accurate collection is made of all the urine passed in the 24 hour period. 

Please ensure that the urine container you have been given has the correct information on the label. If your details have not been recorded, please write you name, hospital number (if you know it) and GP or Hospital name on the label.

Please avoid the following foods which can interfere with the assay for 3 days before and during urine collection: bananas, pineapples, kiwi fruit, nuts and avocados.

Do not pour out any liquid or powder that may already be in the urine container. Some containers have a strong acid added to act as a preservative for certain tests. These urine containers will be clearly marked with a warning label - please read the warning label carefully. 

You may find it more convenient to pass urine into the smaller container provided and transfer the urine into the larger collection container. 

Refrigerate the urine at all times during the collection period or keep in a cool place.

Procedure  

When you get up on the first morning of the collection, empty your bladder completely into the lavatory. Do not collect this sample. Write the exact date and time on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION START'.

Collect all the urine passed after this time into the urine container provided. All urine passed during the 24-hour period (day and night) must be saved. Urine passed during bowel movements must also be collected.

Don't forget to refrigerate the collected urine or keep in a cool place.

At exactly the same time the following morning, empty your bladder again (first time after you get up in the morning) and add this sample to the collection container. Write the exact date and time on the urine container label under the heading 'COLLECTION FINISH'.

Take the 24 hour urine collection as soon as possible to the Pathology Department at Basildon, Orsett or St. Andrew's Hospital or to your GP's surgery. 

Last edited 07/08/08