Guidelines to patient preparation for sample collection for 24-hour albumin/creatinine and protein/creatinine urine test
- Urine is collected during a 24-hour period.
- Urine sample collection during menstruation or 5 to 7 days following cystoscopy is not allowed.
- The first morning portion of urine of the current day shall be discarded.
- All the following portions of urine during the day and night, and the morning portion of urine of the following day are collected into the same container with a tight cap. It is recommended to make 100 ml marks on the container.
- The closed container containing urine shall be stored at the lowest refrigerator shelf, but shall not be allowed to freeze.
- Following the completion of urine collection, the daily volume of urine shall be determined. After that, urine shall be mixed in the closed container and no less than 50 ml into a prepared container of a smaller volume shall be poured immediately after that. This smaller container shall be delivered to the laboratory. The remaining urine shall be discarded.
- The container shall be labeled with the patient's ID (or full name) and the determined 24-hour volume of urine (urine output), in milliliters, e.g.: “Urine output: 1,200 ml”.
- When collecting a urine sample for microalbuminuria testing, try to prevent any factors that may distort study results. MAU level is increased in cases of an infection, poor compensation of diabetes mellitus, noncompensated arterial hypertension, and is decreased by the administration of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory pharmaceuticals, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors or angiotensin II receptor blockers.
- To prevent inaccurate results, it is not recommended to collect urine samples for a common analysis, 24-hour analysis and for the Nechiporenko urine test on the same day!