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Urine 24-hour volume
Urine volume; 24-hour urine collection; Urine protein - 24 hour
The urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amount of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into the urine during this period is often tested.
How the Test is Performed
For this test, you must urinate into a special bag or container every time you use the bathroom for a 24-hour period.
- On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you get up in the morning.
- Afterwards, collect all urine in a special container for the next 24 hours.
- On day 2, urinate into the container when you get up in the morning.
- Cap the container. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
- Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.
For an infant:
Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra (the hole where urine flows out). Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end).
- For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin.
- For females, place the bag over the two folds of skin on either side of the vagina (labia). Put a diaper on the baby (over the bag).
Check the infant often, and change the bag after the infant has urinated. Empty the urine from the bag into the container provided by your health care provider.
An active infant can cause the bag to move. It may take more than 1 try to collect the sample.
When finished, label the container and return it as instructed.
How to Prepare for the Test
Certain drugs can also affect the test results. Your provider may tell you to stop taking certain medicines before the test. Never stop taking medicine without first talking to your provider.
The following may also affect test results:
- Dehydration
- Any type of x-ray exam with dye (contrast material) within 3 days before the urine test
- Fluid from the vagina that gets into the urine
- Emotional stress
- Heavy exercise
- Urinary tract infection
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
You may have this test if there are signs of damage to your kidney function on blood, urine, or imaging tests.
Urine volume is normally measured as part of a test that measures the amount of a substances passed in your urine in a day, such as:
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Creatinine
Creatinine
The creatinine clearance test helps provide information about how well the kidneys are working. The test compares the creatinine level in urine with...
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Sodium
Sodium
The sodium urine test measures the amount of sodium in a certain amount of urine. Sodium can also be measured in a blood sample.
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Potassium
Potassium
The potassium urine test measures the amount of potassium in a certain amount of urine.
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Nitrogen
Nitrogen
Urine urea nitrogen is a test that measures the amount of urea in the urine. Urea nitrogen is a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protei...
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Protein
Protein
The protein urine dipstick test measures the presence of proteins, such as albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured using...
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This test may also be done if you have polyuria (abnormally large volumes of urine), such as is seen in people with diabetes insipidus .
Diabetes insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is an uncommon condition in which the kidneys are unable to prevent the excretion of water.
Normal Results
The normal range for 24-hour urine volume is 800 to 2000 milliliters per day (with a normal fluid intake of about 2 liters per day).
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
Disorders that cause reduced urine volume include dehydration, not enough fluid intake, or some types of chronic kidney disease.
Reduced urine volume
Decreased urine output means that you produce less urine than normal. Most adults make at least 500 ml of urine in 24 hours (a little over 2 cups)....
Some of the conditions that cause increased urine volume include:
Increased urine volume
Excessive amount of urination means that your body makes larger than normal amounts of urine each day.
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Diabetes insipidus - renal
Diabetes insipidus - renal
Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) is a disorder in which a defect in the small tubes (tubules) in the kidneys causes a person to pass a large amou...
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Diabetes
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
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- Some forms of kidney disease
- Use of diuretic medicines
References
Israni AK, Kasiske BL. Laboratory assessment of kidney disease: glomerular filtration rate, urinalysis, and proteinuria. In: Teal MW, Chertow GM, Marsden PA, Skorecki K, Yu ASL, Brenner BM, eds. Brenner & Rector's The Kidney . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 25.
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman's Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 114.
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Urine sample - illustration
A "clean-catch" urine sample is performed by collecting the sample of urine in midstream. Men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. A small amount of urine should initially fall into the toilet bowl before it is collected (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. The container is then given to the health care provider.
Urine sample
illustration
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Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
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Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
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Urine sample - illustration
A "clean-catch" urine sample is performed by collecting the sample of urine in midstream. Men or boys should wipe clean the head of the penis. Women or girls need to wash the area between the lips of the vagina with soapy water and rinse well. A small amount of urine should initially fall into the toilet bowl before it is collected (this clears the urethra of contaminants). Then, in a clean container, catch about 1 to 2 ounces of urine and remove the container from the urine stream. The container is then given to the health care provider.
Urine sample
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
Review Date: 8/29/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
