Uric Acid in Urine (24-Hour Collection)
This test measures the amount of uric acid, a natural substance produced when your body breaks down certain foods and substances, over a full day through your urine. It helps assess how well your body is handling uric acid excretion.
["This test helps identify potential kidney issues or gout-related problems by tracking daily uric acid output."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 74979-6
- Short code
- Urate BAL-sCnc
- Synonyms
- Urate BAL-sCnc
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Red-top tube (SST)
- Units
- N/A
- Ref low
- 3.5
- Ref high
- 7.2
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Specimen volume
- 5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 4h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 500
- Lipemia max
- 1000
- Icterus max
- 500
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
Why This Test Might Be Ordered
Your healthcare provider may recommend this test if you have symptoms like joint pain, kidney stones, or signs of gout. It’s also used to monitor kidney function or check for conditions like hyperuricemia (high uric acid levels) that can lead to gout or kidney damage.
What to Expect Before the Test
You’ll need to collect all urine produced in a 24-hour period in a special container. Typically, you start the collection after urinating at midnight the night before the test and continue until you urinate again the following midnight. Drink plenty of fluids to help flush out uric acid.
What Happens During the Test
No special preparation is needed beyond the 24-hour urine collection. The collected urine is sent to a lab for analysis. The lab measures the total amount of uric acid in the urine over the 24-hour period.
What the Results Mean
Results are compared to a reference range specific to uric acid excretion, which can vary by lab. High levels may suggest kidney problems, gout, or other metabolic conditions. Low levels might indicate overproduction of uric acid or certain medical conditions.
Reference range
NCBI: Uric Acid Male 3.5-7.2 mg/dL; Female 2.5-6.8 mg/dLN/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.
◆Associated findings1
Short name
24-Hour Urine Uric Acid
Frequently asked questions
What are the normal reference ranges for this test?
Can I drink fluids normally during the 24-hour urine collection?
How often is this test recommended?
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 17, 2026. · Read our editorial policy