Urine Tests Requiring Preservatives, Refrigeration or Special Containers


Test name is listed first, with required preservative second. Recommended collection time period is 24 hours, except for pH and bicarbonate. Sodium, potassium, creatinine, and urea nitrogen can be performed on any routine specimen, with or without preservative.

17-Hydroxycorticosteroids
10 g boric acid as a preservative added at start of collection
5-Hydroxyindolacetic Acid (5-HIAA)
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced
Aldosterone
Refrigerate during collection or 10 grams boric acid or 5 mL concentrated HCl are acceptable preservatives
Aminolevulinic Acid, Quantitative
Protect from light AND refrigerate during collection
Arsenic
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Cadmium
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Carbon Dioxide (CO2 Content)
Random container with thin layer of mineral oil
Catecholamines, Fractionated
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced
Chromium
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Citric Acid
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Copper
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Cortisol/Cortisone Urine Free (by LC-MS/MS)
Refrigerate during collection
Dopamine
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced
Histamine
Plain container with 10 mL of 6N HCl
Homocystine
Refrigerate during collection
Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced
Iodine
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour collection
Iron
20 mL 6 N HNO3 (Nitric Acid)
Lead
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Mercury
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Metanephrines
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced
Methylmalonic Acid, Quantitative
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Neuroblastoma Screen
Glass container with acid * (see below)
Oxalate
Glass container with 10 mL 6N HCl
pH, random urine collection only
Random container with thin layer of mineral oil
Porphobilinogen, Qualitative
Dark Container, no preservative
Porphobilinogen, Quantitative
Refrigerated during entire collection period
Porphyrins, Quantitative (Fractionated)
Dark Glass Container, refrigerate during collection
Stone Studies
Plastic container with preservative added at start of collection. Contact lab at 6-3527 for preservative vial.
Vanillylmandelic Acid (VMA)
Adults: Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Pediatrics: 1 mL 6 N HCl for every 100 mL urine produced

* Neuroblastoma Screen Acid Quantities
   < 8 years - no preservative, refrigerate during collection.
   > 8 years - 15-20 mL 6 N HCL added at start of collection.