24 hour urine collection. Alternately, a pour-off sample in an amber container to protect the specimen from light from a 24 hour urine collection is acceptable but client must measure 24 hour urine volume and indicate the amount on the requisition.

24 Hour Urine Collections:
1. To begin the collection, instruct the patient to void at 8 AM or 8 PM and discard this urine. 
2. Collect all urine excreted during the next 24 hours in the urine collection container.
3. Exactly 24 hours after the collection was begun, empty the bladder for the last time. Add this urine to the 24 hour urine container. The collection is finished.
4. The container must be kept refrigerated during and after the 24 hour collection period. 
5. Measure and record the 24 hour total volume on the test request form.
6. Mix well.
7. The pH must be <7.
8. Transfer the urine into an amber plastic frozen transport tube with amber cap. Label the container with the patient's name, date and time collection started and finished. If amber tube and cap are not available, cover a clear plastic transport tube completely from top to bottom with aluminum foil. Identify the specimen with the patient's name directly on the transport tube and the outside of the aluminum foil. Secure with tape.
9. THE SPECIMEN SHOULD BE PROTECTED FROM LIGHT, FROZEN IMMEDIATELY, AND MAINTAINED FROZEN UNTIL TESTED.

Stable for one month when preserved with 30% glacial acetic acid and frozen. Stable for 3 days when preserved with 30% glacial acetic acid and refrigerated. Urine is not stable preserved with sodium carbonate.

82135 - ALA Delta Random Urine (EAP 30020958)
81050 - Urine Volume Measurement (EAP 30033360)

To avoid delays in turn around time when requesting multiple tests on frozen samples, submit separate frozen samples for each test requested.