Container 24-hour urine container, no preservative
Collection Instruct the patient to void at 8 AM and discard the specimen. Then collect all urine, including the final specimen voided at the end of the 24-hour collection period (ie, 8 AM the next morning). Screw the lid on securely. Transport the specimen promptly to the laboratory. Container must be labeled with patient's full name, date and time collection started, and date and time collection finished. Record total volume on requisition and container. Twenty-four hour creatinine, sodium, and potassium are performed on the same specimen.
Patient Preparation Diuretics, antihypertensive drugs, cyclic progestogens, estrogens, and licorice should be terminated for at least 2 weeks and preferably 4 weeks prior to testing. Patient should be on a diet containing 135 mmol (3 g) sodium/day for at least 2 weeks and preferably 30 days prior to testing. No recent radioactive scans.
Causes for Rejection 12-hour or random urine specimen, recently administered radioisotopes, inadequate preparation of patient
Reference Range Dependent on salt intake, renal function, concurrent medications. Normal sodium intake: 2-19 g/24 hours.
Use Diagnose hyperaldosteronism (the two major causes of primary aldosteronism are aldosterone-producing adenoma and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism); evaluate patient with hypertension (work-up is especially indicated in younger patients with hypertension and hypokalemia not induced by diuretic agents).
g/24 hours.