How long can urine samples be refrigerated before analysis?

Urine samples can be refrigerated for a maximum of 6 hours before analysis to preserve their integrity and prevent bacterial overgrowth or other changes that may affect the results. After this time frame, the composition of the sample may begin to alter, especially in terms of pH levels and the breakdown of certain analytes. Although refrigeration slows down metabolic processes, it does not completely halt them, which is why prompt analysis is often recommended.

While some guidelines may suggest that samples can be kept longer under certain conditions, 6 hours is a commonly accepted timeframe for maintaining the quality of urine samples in clinical settings. Samples that exceed this time should be analyzed with caution, as their stability cannot be guaranteed beyond this period.