Diagnostic Test
24-Hour Urine Test
A 24-hour urine test collects your urine over a full day to help find out why you form kidney stones. Discover how to correctly collect your sample at home.
Key Takeaways
- A 24-hour urine test collects your urine over a full day to help find out why you form kidney stones. Discover how to correctly collect your sample at home.
- We offer specialist interpretation and related treatments. Book a consultation to discuss your options.
Overview
About 24-Hour Urine Test
A 24-hour urine test is a non-invasive diagnostic investigation that involves collecting every drop of urine you produce over a continuous 24-hour period.
Instead of looking at a single "spot" sample in the clinic, a 24-hour collection allows laboratory specialists to accurately measure the total volume of urine you produce in a day, alongside the exact levels of specific natural chemicals and minerals passing through your kidneys. This gives a complete and highly accurate picture of your unique metabolic health.
Test Information
Understanding Your Test
A detailed guide to your diagnostic procedure — from essential preparation and the purpose of the test to safety considerations and what to expect during the process.
You will carry out this test entirely in the comfort of your own home using a special, large collection container provided by the clinic or hospital.
The test begins first thing in the morning. When you wake up, you pass your first urine of the day directly into the toilet as normal - do not save this first flush, but write down the exact time (for example, 7:00 am). From that exact moment onwards, every single time you need to pass urine over the next 24 hours, you must collect it entirely in the large container provided. This includes any urine passed during the night. The following morning, exactly 24 hours after you started (at 7:00 am), you pass your final urine into the container to complete the collection. Once finished, you will drop the container off at the hospital laboratory as soon as possible. Often you will be asked to complete two separate 24 hour collections, and if this is the case then you should continue with the second bottle straight away, and finish this collection at 7am the following morning. You would then drop both bottles back to the hospital.
The test is completely painless and carries no physical discomfort, as it only requires you to collect your urine.
However, some people find it slightly awkward or inconvenient to carry or store the large plastic container for a full day. Healthcare teams understand this completely; they provide secure, leak-proof containers and discrete carrying bags to make the process as straightforward, hygienic, and stress-free as possible for you.
Your consultant will usually recommend 24-hour urine testing if you are prone to getting kidney stones (renal stones) or if you have had multiple stone episodes, or have stones at a young age.
According to European Guidelines tool for high-risk or repeat stone formers. By analysing the specific balance of minerals in your urine over a full day, your medical team can figure out exactly why your body is forming stones, allowing them to create a personalised preventative plan to stop new stones from developing in the future.
At a glance
Preparation required
- You do not need to fast – you should eat your normal diet and drink your usual amount of fluids unless your urologist tells you otherwise.
- Try to pick a day to do the test when you plan to stay at home, as you must collect every drop of urine without missing any.
- Keep the large container in a cool, dark place throughout the 24-hour collection period.
- Tell your doctor about any vitamins or supplements you are taking, as high doses of Vitamin C or calcium can alter the test results.
Risks or considerations
- There are zero physical risks, side effects, or medical dangers involved in this test.
- Accuracy is key: If you accidentally miss a collection, spill some urine, or forget to include a sample during the 24 hours, the test results will not be fully accurate.
- Preservatives inside: Be aware that some collection bottles contain a small amount of strong acid or powder preservative at the bottom to keep the chemicals stable.
What it can help diagnose
- High levels of calcium in your urine (hypercalciuria), a leading cause of calcium stones
- Elevated levels of oxalate (hyperoxaluria) or uric acid, which can clump together into crystals
- Low levels of citrate (hypocitraturia), a vital substance that normally helps stop stones from forming
- Dehydration or low overall daily urine volume, which makes your urine too concentrated
- High levels of sodium in the urine, which might indicate that you should cut back on the salt in your diet.
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Patient Guidance
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this test and what to expect
3 questions
Because the laboratory must carefully isolate and measure several different chemical components, it typically takes 6 weeks for the final report to be sent back to your referring GP or urology consultant.
Reviewed 31 May 2026
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If an imbalance is found, your consultant can recommend highly effective, targeted changes. This could include a specific reduction in dietary salt, adding fresh lemon juice to your water to boost citrate, or prescribing a straightforward daily medication (such as a thiazide diuretic or potassium citrate) to help reduce your chance of forming new stones.
Reviewed 31 May 2026
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It is usually best to wait until any acute pain, infection, or bleeding from a recent stone episode has fully settled. Your urologist will advise you on the ideal timing, which is typically a few weeks after your symptoms have cleared up, to ensure the results reflect your body's normal baseline health.
Reviewed 31 May 2026
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