Question

Physicians often ask for urine samples collected over a 24-hour period, rather than a single sample. Why?

Answer 1

Entire urine ouput collected for 24 hours could be used to estimate amount of protein excreted from body.

Explanation:

Normally there is only traces of protein present in urine.

In conditions ranging from diabetes to autoimmune disorders, filtering begs in the kidneys are damaged; which means a large amount of protein is excreted with urine.

When more than 1 gm protein is excreted daily the condition is termed proteinuria.