Completing a 24-hour urine collection is nobody’s idea of fun, especially after going through one of the most painful experiences of your life (aka Kidney Stones). However, the only way to find out why you are forming kidney stones is to get it done! Look on the bright side; you can use it as an excuse to stay home from work. This test measures how much urine you produce in a day, the acidity (pH) of the urine, and the amount of certain substances in it, such as calcium, sodium, uric acid, oxalate, citrate, and creatinine. The levels of these substances attribute to stone formation. Now that you have a better understanding, let’s answer some questions you may have about 24-hour urine tests.
How should I prepare for a 24-Hour Urine?
Your healthcare provider should give you his or her procedure for preparation. Make sure you disclose all medications, supplements, and vitamins you are taking. The lab will provide you with a large container to store your urine as well as a small cup to urinate into. You need to have a cool place to store your urine. The refrigerator or a cooler on ice will work. If you think it may be challenging to get this done at work, be sure to schedule a day off or complete the test on a weekend.
Should I change the way I eat and drink during or before the collection?
Do not change your diet before the 24-hour urine collection, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise. Eat and drink as you were when you were making stones; this is imperative. If you drink more water or change the way you eat before or the day of your collection, the results will reflect the changes as opposed to what you consumed when your kidney stone formed. Many people can get it done at work, but if you decide to take the day off, make sure you eat and drink the same amount as you would on a workday.
Should I do the follow-up urine collection?
Once you implement your prevention plan, you want to be sure the plan is effective. If you do not participate in the follow-up, you won’t know if the plan is lessening your risk of kidney stones. If you put it off, you won’t know if it is working until it’s too late. By then, you’ve formed another stone! As time goes on, the chemistry of your urine may change. This annual check-in is an excellent way to keep you accountable and stay on top of your kidney health.
Where do KSPtabs come in?
Compliance and consistency are key to getting to the bottom of the cause of your stone formation. This process is not easy, but compared to what you have been through, it’s worth it. Staying on top of your treatment plan is the only way to ensure that you are combating your kidney stones. While diet changes and drinking more water may be effective, adding KSPtabs will only boost your prevention plan. Adding two tabs a day to your water keeps your kidneys flushed, therefore ensuring no new crystals are forming. Potassium, Citrate, Magnesium, and B6 are all essential stone inhibitors that are not readily stored in your body. Therefore, the only way to maintain higher levels is to consume them on a routine basis throughout the day. We believe your kidney health doesn’t have to be set in stone. You can start making a change today! The graphic below shows the improvements we have seen in a 24-hour urine test after the use of KSPtabs.
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