Urine 24-hour volume: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia

P 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.

T How the Test is Performed
P 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.
P For an infant:
P 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).
P 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.
P An active infant can cause the bag to move. It may take more than 1 try to collect the sample.
P When finished, label the container and return it as instructed.

T How to Prepare for the Test
P 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.
P 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

T How the Test will Feel
P The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

T Why the Test is Performed
P You may have this test if there are signs of damage to your kidney function on blood, urine, or imaging tests.
P 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:
- Creatinine
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Nitrogen
- Protein
P This test may also be done if you have polyuria (abnormally large volumes of urine), such as is seen in people with diabetes insipidus.

T Normal Results
P 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).
P 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.

T What Abnormal Results Mean
P Disorders that cause reduced urine volume include dehydration, not enough fluid intake, or some types of chronic kidney disease.
P Some of the conditions that cause increased urine volume include:
- Diabetes insipidus - renal
- Diabetes insipidus - central
- Diabetes
- High fluid intake
- Some forms of kidney disease
- Use of diuretic medicines

T Alternative Names
P Urine volume; 24-hour urine collection; Urine protein - 24 hour

T Images
- Urine sample
- Female urinary tract
- Male urinary tract

T References
P 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.
P 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.

T Review Date 8/29/2015
P Updated 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.

