Specimen Collection

Urine Preservatives

Upon request, preservatives can be added to the collection jug by the laboratory before the specimen has been collected. All collection jugs with preservatives must be labeled with the following information:

1) Type and quantity of preservative added.
2) Date preservative was added.
3) Initials of preparer.
4) Complete all patient information on the label containing collection instructions and attach to the container.

NOTE: 
6N HCL - CAUTION: 6N HCL acid added, skin and eye irritant. See Material Safety Data Sheet. 
33% acetic acid - CAUTION: 33% acetic acid added, skin and eye irritant. See Material Safety Data Sheet.
Boric Acid - CAUTION: Boric acid added, poisonous. See Material Safety Data Sheet.

Test specific preservatives for Urine collection.

Listed below are 24-hour urine tests and the preservatives required for each. Specific questions about combining 24 hour urine tests or alternative preservatives should be referred to RML's processing department at 744-2500 ext. 15506 or 1-800-722-8077.

Printable Version
Test Name Order Name #1 Preservative Alternate Preservatives Miscellaneous Notes
ALBUMIN (Microalbumin) 24Hr ALBUM24U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
ALDOSTERONE 24hr URINE ALDOS 24 U 10g BORIC ACID Refrigeration, 25mL 6N HCL Maintain pH below 7.5. Sample without preservative is acceptable if kept refrigerated during collection. It is acceptable to add preservative after collection if urine was refrigerated during collection.
AMINOLEVULINIC ACID 24Hr DELT ALA24 Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Wrap container in aluminum foil to protect from light. 24-hour total volume must be provided on the test request form.
CALCIUM (12 OR 24Hr URINE) CALC TM U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL, 10gm BORIC ACID Refrigerate during and after collection. It is acceptable to add preservative after collection if urine was refrigerated during collection.
CATECHOLAMINE FRACTIONS Random or 24hr URINE CAT FRAC U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL Refrigerate during and after collection. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen.
CHLORDIE URINE TIMED CHLOR TM U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Do not include first morning specimen; collect all subsequent voidings.
CITRATE 24Hr URINE CITRIC U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Do not include first morning specimen; collect all subsequent voidings. Adjust pH to
COPPER 24hr URINE COPPER 24 Use "Acid Washed" 24hr Urine Jug for Heavy Metal Collections. NONE Do not aliquot unless you have "Acid Washed" pour off tubes for use with Heavy Metals.
CORTISOL FREE Random or 24hr URINE CORT FR U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
CREATININE CLEARANCE CREA CL UR Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL, 10gm BORIC ACID, 5gm Sodium Carb Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
HEAVY METAL SCREEN Random or 24hr URINE METAL S U Use "Acid Washed" 24hr Urine Jug for Heavy Metal Collections. NONE Do not aliquot to pour off tubes. Send entire jug.
HISTAMINE 24hr URINE HISTAMI U Refrigeration - 25mL 6N HCL Avoid direct sunlight. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Avoid direct sunlight. Avoid taking allergy causing drugs, antihistamines, oral corticosteroids and substances which block H2 receptors 24 hours prior to collection. Patient should refrain from taking allergy causing drugs, antihistamines, oral corticosteroids, and substances which block H2 receptors for at least 24 hours prior to specimen collection.
17 HYDROXYCORTICOSTEROIDS HYDRXY 17 10gm BORIC ACID 25mL 6N HCL, 25mL 50% Acetic Acid Refrigerate during and after collection.
17 KETOSTEROIDS 24 URINE KETOSTER17 10gm BORIC ACID 25mL 6N HCL, 25mL 50% Acetic Acid Refrigerate during and after collection.
METANEPHRINES URINE Random or 24hr METANEPH U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL Refrigerate during and after collection. After urine collection, add 25 mL of 6N HCL. Stability is enhanced at pH 2-3. A pH lower than 2 may cause assay interference.
OXALATE Random or 24hr URINE OXALATE U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adjust pH to 1.5-3 with 6N HCl or ARUP Tube w/20mg Sulfamic Acid after collection is complete. IF ACID IS NOT ADDED, aliquot 4mL of well-mixed urine in a pour off container & FREEZE IMMEDIATELY.
PHOSPHORUS 24hr URINE PHOS TM U Refrigeration - Specimens should be collected with 20-30mL HCl to avoid precipitation of phosphate complexes. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
PORPHYRINS QUANTITATIVE Random or 24hr URINE PORPH 24 U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. Avoid direct sunlight.  NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation. Avoid direct sunlight. Wrap container in aluminum foil to protect from light.
POTASSIUM 24hr URINE POTAS TM U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
SEROTONIN 5HIAA QUANTITATIVE Random or 24hr URINE SEROTON U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL Refrigerate during and after collection. After urine collection, add 25 mL of 6N HCl to maintain a pH 2-3. A pH lower than 2 may cause assay interference. Patient should avoid food high in indoles: avocado, banana, tomato, plum, walnut, pineapple, and eggplant. Patient should also avoid tobacco, tea and coffee three days prior to specimen collection.
SODIUM 24hr URINE SODIUM TMU Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
PROTEIN 24hr URINE PROT TM U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
UREA CLEARANCE 24hr URINE UREA CL UR Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Must have Serum BUN drawn during collection.
URIC ACID 24hr URINE URIC TM U Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative. NONE Refrigerate during and after collection. Adequate refrigeration is the most important aspect of specimen preservation.
VMA Random or 24hr URINE (Vanillylmandelic Acid) VMA Refrigeration - Collect urine without preservative OK. 25mL 6N HCL Refrigerate during and after collection. After collection adjust pH to less than 3.0 using 6N HCL. Urine without preservative is acceptable if pH is below 6 and the sample is shipped frozen. A pH lower than 2 may cause assay interference.
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