Introduction
The test for which you are collecting this urine sample is being carried out to investigate symptoms of flushing and / or diarrhoea that may be attributed to a condition called “carcinoid syndrome”.
For further details please see www.labtestsonline.org.uk which is written by practising laboratory doctors and scientists to help you understand the many clinical laboratory tests that are used in diagnosis and treatment.
The results for your test will be sent to your requesting doctor when complete.
Instructions
- You have been provided with a plastic jug and a plastic container.
- The plastic container contains strong acid which is required to preserve your sample. DO NOT DISCARD. If you spill any, wash the area immediately with lots of cold water.
Keep out of reach of children at all times. - The jug must be used to collect any urine that you pass during the 24 hour period, and immediately poured (try not spill any) into the plastic container. To avoid skin contact with acid preservative, do not under any circumstances, pass urine directly into the container.
- You must collect all urine that you pass over a full 24-hour period. If you forget and go to the toilet as normal, please let us know and we can provide another container. If this happens you will need to start the test again from the beginning. It is vital that all the urine you pass during this period is placed in the container.
- Store the container in a cool place during the collection period (refrigeration not needed), e.g. on a coolbathroom windowsill or perhaps in a garage. Please keep out of the way of children.
- The collection must be timed accurately as follows:
- At start of 24 hour period (at any time that suits you), go to the toilet to empty your bladder completely. You do not need to collect any of this urine.
- Collect all further urine passed over the 24 hour period into the jug, which must then be immediately poured into the container.
- At the end of the 24-hour period (exactly 24 hours after you started collecting), go to the toilet to empty your bladder, this time collecting any urine passed. Pour the urine into the container.
- The test is now complete. Please ensure the lid is fully tightened then return, making sure it is labelled with your name, date of birth, NHS number and the date and time of urine collection, together with the Pathology Request Form to the laboratory as soon as possible after completion of the test.
- Please rinse the jug out and dispose of it into general household waste once you have completed the test.
Important: medications and diet can interfere with the test
- Paracetamol: do not take any paracetamol for 3 days prior to the test or during the 24-hour collection period. This includes all medications also containing paracetamol e.g. Night Nurse, Day Nurse, Co-codamol, Co-proxamol, Beecham’s cold and flu treatments, Feminax, Lemsip in various formulations, Benylin day and night tablets, Boots cold and flu treatments, Migraleve, Veganin, Solpadeine, Sinutabs, Paracodol and Panadol. If you are unsure, contact your doctor before stopping any medication.
- Diet: For 2 days before the test and during the 24 hour collection period, the following should be avoided:
- Red plums, bananas, avocados, pineapples, tomatoes, walnuts, aubergines, kiwi fruit or any prepared foods which may contain any of the above
Failure to follow this advice may complicate the interpretation of test results and cause unnecessary repeat testing
Benefits
The benefit of doing the test is that it will provide your doctor with important results which will help with diagnosis and / or treatment.
Risks
The plastic container contains strong acid. If you spill any, wash the area immediately with lots of cold water. Seek medical advice if in doubt. Follow usual hygiene procedures and wash your hands after providing the sample(s).
Alternatives
There are no alternative tests that could be used to the one that you have been asked to undertake.
Contact details for further information
If you have any queries, please ring your local laboratory:
Goole Tel. 03033 304025 Reception 0830-1600 (Mon-Fri)
Grimsby Tel. 03033 302677 Reception 0800-1700 (Mon-Fri)
Scunthorpe Tel. 03033 302641 Reception 0800-1700 (Mon-Fri)
Louth Tel. 01507 600100 Ext 1253 Reception 0830-1630 (Mon-Fri)
Any comments, compliments, concerns or complaints
If you have any other concerns please talk to your nurse, therapist or doctor. Our Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) is available on 03033 306518 (Grimsby, Scunthorpe and Goole). You can also contact [email protected]
As a Trust we value equality of access to our information and services, therefore alternative formats are available on request at [email protected]
Review Information
Date of Issue: May 2024
Review Period: May 2027