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Uric Acid, Urine

Urine Urate, Urine Uric Acid

Test Codes

24-Hour Urine: EPIC: LAB5461, Beaker: UAU24, Random Urine: EPIC: LAB5460, Beaker: UAU, Antrim: 15805

Department

Chemistry

Instructions

Note: 24-hour and random urine specimens MUST be collected separately. See below for collection criteria.

• Please refer to the Specimen Collection Manual for instructions on 24-Hour Urine or Random urine Collection:
  
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Inpatient
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outpatient
  • Urine 24-Hour Collection - Outreach
  • Random Urine Collection

Specimen Collection Criteria

Collect: 24-hour urine or timed urine specimen with a 24-hour urine container with no preservatives.
Also acceptable: Random urine specimen in a screw-capped container (preferred) or another sterile collection cup. Preservatives are not acceptable for random urine specimens. (Minimum: 20 mL) 

• Refer to the table of Urine Preservative Options when multiple tests are requested.
• Keep 24-hour urine specimen iced or refrigerated during collection.
• Include start and end dates and times for the collection period on the specimen container.

Urine Preservative Options
No Preservative	6N Hydrochloric Acid	Boric Acid (10 g)	Sodium Carbonate	50% Acetic Acid
Preferred	Unacceptable	Unacceptable	Acceptable	Unacceptable

Physician Office/Draw Specimen Preparation

Maintain specimens refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F) prior to transport.

Preparation for Courier Transport

Transport: Entire 24-hour urine collection, or random urine, refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F).

Rejection Criteria

Specimens not collected and processed as indicated.

In-Lab Processing

Measure total volume of 24-hour urine specimen. Record total volume and collection start and end dates and times in the LIS system. Aliquot a minimum of 10.0 mL from the well-mixed 24-hour urine collection.

Storage

Specimen Stability for Testing:

Room temperature (20-26°C or 68-78.8°F): 4 hours
Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days
Frozen (-20°C/-4°F or below): For longer storage.

Specimen Storage in Department Prior to Disposal:

Refrigerated (2-8°C or 36-46°F): 7 days (Royal Oak and Troy store an aliquot for 30 days.)

Laboratory

Dearborn Chemistry Laboratory
Farmington Hills Chemistry Laboratory
Grosse Pointe Chemistry Laboratory
Royal Oak Automated Chemistry Laboratory
Troy Chemistry Laboratory

Performed

Sunday – Saturday.
Results available within 24 hours.

Reference Range

Urine Uric Acid: 250-750 mg / 24 hours.
Normal ranges for random urines or for collections other than 24 hours have not been established.

Test Methodology

Spectrophotometry.

Interpretation

• Increased urine uric acid levels are seen in leukemia, gout, Lesch-Nyhan syndrome, Wilson's disease, cystinosis, viral hepatitis, polycythemia vera, and sickle cell anemia.
  
• Decreased levels are seen in xanthinuria, folic acid deficiency, and lead toxicity.

Clinical Utility

Uric acid measurements aid in the diagnosis and treatment of numerous renal and metabolic disorders, including renal failure, gout, leukemia, psoriasis, starvation, or other wasting conditions, and of patients receiving cytotoxic drugs. It is also part of the Stone Former Workup and is useful in assessing the likelihood of stone formation.

CPT Codes

84560

Contacts

Last Updated

10/23/2023