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) Glass container with 25 mL of 6N HCl
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 Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
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 Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Histamine Plain container with 10 mL of 6N HCl
Homocystine Refrigerate during collection
Homovanillic Acid (HVA) Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
Iron 20 mL 6 N HNO3 (Nitric Acid)
Lead Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Mercury Plastic container, refrigerate during collection
Metanephrines Glass container with 25 mL 6N HCl
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) Glass container with 25 ml 6N HCl

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