The benefits of taking a patient’s urine sample over a 24 hour period is that the doctor can better test for hormone and protein levels. These tests confirm kidney function, and certain substances like potassium, sodium and urea nitrogen. It can also be a great way to test for glucose levels, as well as any toxins that may exist in the body.
A larger sample of urine (compared to a sample in a little specimen cup) gives the practitioner a more complete idea of how your body functions throughout an average day.
Keep in mind that you are storing your urine for at least 24 hours, certain precautions need to be considered. You would want to collect your specimen in a leak-proof, clearly identified container. Always make sure that your information is on your collection bottle. Some collection bottles will come with ID tags that you can use, or a permanent marker will work fine.
When using a collection bottle, select one that has a wide open mouth. This prevents accidental spills during times of collection, leaving more in the bottle and less mess to clean up. The patient also needs to ensure that the bottle is large enough to hold the volume needed, so always make sure you purchase a proper sized bottle with clearly marked measurement levels.
For more information on specimen cups and containers, browse our extensive urologicals product line, or call one of our courteous medical product professionals for more information at 1-888-687-4334 today.