What happens during a crystals in urine test?You will need to provide a sample of your urine. During your office visit, you will receive a container to collect the urine and special instructions to make sure the sample is sterile. These instructions are often called the "clean catch method." The clean catch method includes the following steps:Wash your hands.Clean your genital area with a cleansing pad. Men should wipe the tip of their penis. Women should open their labia and clean from front to back.Start to urinate into the toilet.Move the collection container under your urine stream.Collect at least an ounce or two of urine into the container, which should have markings to indicate the amount.Finish urinating into the toilet.Return the sample container as instructed by your health care provider.Your health care provider may also request that you collect all urine during a 24-hour period. This is called a "24-hour urine sample test." It is used because the amounts of substances in urine, including crystals, can vary throughout the day. Your health care provider or a laboratory professional will give you a container to collect your urine and instructions on how to collect and store your samples. A 24-hour urine sample test usually includes the following steps:Empty your bladder in the morning and flush that urine away. Record the time.For the next 24 hours, save all your urine passed in the container provided.Store your urine container in the refrigerator or a cooler with ice.Return the sample container to your health care provider's office or the laboratory as instructed.
