Test Details

• Discipline:

  Biochemistry

  Biochemistry

• Specimen Container Adult:

  Plain universal container (random urine sample) or plain bottle (24 hour urine collection)

  Plain universal container (random urine sample) or plain bottle (24 hour urine collection)

• Specimen Container Paediatric:

  Plain universal container (random urine sample)

  Plain universal container (random urine sample)

• Minimum Volume Adult:

  1 mL aliquot

  1 mL aliquot

• Minimum Volume Paediatric:

  1 mL aliquot

  1 mL aliquot

• Sample Stability:

  7 days at 15-25°C, 7 days at 2-8°C, 1 year at -20°C

  7 days at 15-25°C, 7 days at 2-8°C, 1 year at -20°C

• Interpretation:

  Daily 24 hr urinary potassium excretion is dependent on
  daily intake, extra renal losses and intracellular shifts. Unless the dietary intake is known the 24 h urinary potassium is of little value....

  Daily 24 hr urinary potassium excretion is dependent on
  daily intake, extra renal losses and intracellular shifts. Unless the dietary intake is known the 24 h urinary potassium is of little value.
  
  Urine potassium should be interpreted in combination with
  the serum potassium concentration.
  
  In the presence of hypokalaemia a random spot urine potassium of >20mmol/L indicates a renal potassium loss, values < 20 mmol/L indicate an extrarenal cause for the potassium depletion.

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• Reference Ranges:

  Adult: 25 - 125 mmol/24h 

  Adult: 25 - 125 mmol/24h 

• Factors Affecting Result:

  Diet affects 24h potassium excretion

  Diet affects 24h potassium excretion

• Routine Contact Name:

  Duty Biochemist

• Routine Telephone:

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

  Freeman: 0191 244 8889
  RVI: 0191 282 9719

• Routine Email:

  nuth.dutybiochemist@nhs.net