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.

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
Catecholamines, Fractionated (includes Dopamine) 
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour 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
Histamine
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour collection
Homocystine
Refrigerate during collection
Homovanillic Acid (HVA)
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour collection
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
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour collection
Methylmalonic Acid, Quantitative
Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
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 or wrap yellow conical tube in foil, no preservative
Porphobilinogen, Quantitative
Refrigerated during entire collection period
Porphyrins & Porphobilinogen (PBG)
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)
Plastic container, refrigerate during 24 hour collection