Biochemistry

Preferred Sample Type

Urine Electrolytes

Suitable Specimen Types

Plain Spot Urine 24 Hour Urine Plain

Urine Electrolytes

Specimen Volume

0.1 mL urine

Sample Preparation

Usual

Turnaround Time

< 1 day

Sample Processing In Laboratory

Usual

Sample Stability

4 ºC

General Information

This test measures both urinary sodium, urinary potassium and urinary urea.

Urinary sodium, together with assessment of volume status, is useful in the differential diagnosis of hyponatramia. Urinary sodium levels are also frequently ordered during the workup of acute renal failure with the fractional excretion of sodium used as an important marker in distinguishing pre-renal from post-renal failure.

Urinary potassium may be ordered in the workup of hypokalemia. In case of GI loss of potassium, the urine potassium will be low. In case of renal loss of potassium, the urine potassium levels will be high. Decreased levels of urine potassium are also seen in hypoaldosteronism and adrenal insufficiency.

 

Notes

Urea and electrolytes (sodium and potassium)  can be measured on a 24h collection or a random sample

Reference Range

None Given. The results must be interpreted together with serum electrolytes and clinical details.

Specifications

  • EQA Status: NEQAS
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Link to Further Information

https://pinboard.in/u:duty_biochemist/t:sodium/ https://pinboard.in/u:duty_biochemist/t:potassium/

Related Tests

Potassium (urine) Sodium (Urine) Urea (Urine)

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

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University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962