24-Hour Urine Uric Acid (Total)
This test measures the total amount of uric acid excreted in your urine over a full day. Uric acid is a waste product from your body that can build up and cause health issues if levels are too high.
["A 24-hour urine uric acid test helps track how much uric acid your body removes through urine, which can help diagnose or monitor conditions like gout or kidney problems."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 3087-4
- Short code
- Urate 24h Ur-mRate
- Synonyms
- Urate 24h Ur-mRate
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 20
- Ref high
- 400
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- CPT
- 82670
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Is Done
Your doctor may recommend this test if you have symptoms of high uric acid levels, such as joint pain (gout), kidney stones, or if you’re being treated for a condition that affects uric acid metabolism. It’s also used to monitor kidney function or check for overproduction of uric acid.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all urine for a full 24-hour period, starting right after you wake up and ending just before you wake up the next morning. Store the urine in a refrigerator to keep it fresh. Bring all the urine samples to your lab appointment.
What Happens During the Test
No special preparation is needed beyond collecting your urine sample. The lab will analyze the total volume and the concentration of uric acid in your urine to calculate the total amount excreted over the day.
What the Results Mean
Results help determine if your uric acid levels are normal or if they’re too high or too low. High levels may indicate conditions like gout, kidney disease, or certain medications affecting uric acid. Low levels might suggest metabolic issues or certain genetic disorders.
Reference range
Premenopausal: 20-400 pg/mL; Postmenopausal: <30 pg/mLN/A
No special preparation usually required. Stay well hydrated. Inform your healthcare provider of all medications and supplements you are taking.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated uric acid levels in urine can signal underlying health concerns, such as gout, kidney dysfunction, or metabolic syndrome. Monitoring this test helps doctors manage conditions where uric acid buildup is a risk, ensuring timely treatment to prevent complications like joint damage or kidney stones.
Short name
Urate 24h Urine Rate
Frequently asked questions
How is this test different from a regular uric acid blood test?
What should I do if my uric acid levels are high?
Can I eat or drink anything special before the urine collection?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy