You have a urine test in a day or two and you’re wondering if you need to skip breakfast or limit your water intake of coffee before your test.
In other words, you’re worried if you should fast before a urine test or not. At Family Urgent Care, we get these questions all the time.
Most urine tests don’t require fasting, but some do. Plus, certain daily habits can affect your results, so it’s important to take a few precautions beforehand.
In this guide, Dr. Asrar Sheikh, MD at Family Urgent Care, explains when fasting is necessary, what can interfere with your test results, and the common myths people fall for.
Let’s clear up the confusion so you can walk into the lab or clinic without any doubts or concerns!
Is Fasting Necessary For A Urine Test?
One of the most common questions we get at our clinic is: “Do I need to fast before a urine test?”
According to Dr. Sheikh, you don’t need to fast for a routine urine test. In fact, he recommends drinking enough water so your urine isn’t too concentrated with toxins or minerals, which can mess with results.
But did you know that too much coffee, alcohol, or even certain supplements can skew your results? Let’s dive into what else can affect your test further in the blog.
The bottom line is that you don’t need to fast unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
When Do You Actually Need To Fast Before A Urine Test?
There are different types of urine test that your doctor may advise depending on your situation and condition. Usually, urine tests do not require fasting. Here are a few urine tests in which fasting might not be necessary:
| Urine Test Type | Fasting Required | Normal Results |
| Routine urinalysis | No | Pale to dark/deep amber, clear, pH between 4.5 and 8, specific gravity 1.005 to 1.025, no glucose, no ketones, proteins or bacteria. |
| Drug test | No | Negative |
| Pregnancy test | No | Positive/Negative |
| Urine glucose test | No | No glucose detected |
| 24-hour urine test | No | 800 to 2,000 milliliters per day (with a normal fluid intake of about 2 liters per day). |
| Protein test | No | No proteins detected |
If you want any of the above-mentioned urine tests, you can visit our Family Urgent Care clinic in Chicago and Schererville for accurate and hassle-free testing.
What You SHOULD and SHOULDN’T Do Before a Urine Test?
“I see most of my patients worry unintentionally about factors that might affect their urine test results”, says Dr. Sheikh.
Therefore, he recommends 3 simple precautions that you should take before you visit a lab or urgent care for your routine urinalysis.
3 Things That You Should Do Before A Urine Test
Stay hydrated, but don’t overdo it: “Drinking a normal amount of water is key,” says Dr. Asrar. “Too much water can dilute your urine, making it harder to detect abnormalities.”
Eat as usual unless your doctor advises you not to: Routine urine tests don’t require dietary restrictions, so there’s no need to skip meals.
Collect a midstream sample: Let the first few drops go before collecting your sample and collectfrom midstream as this helps prevent contamination.
3 Things That You Should Avoid To Get Accurate Urine Test Results
Limit coffee, alcohol and other beverages: “Both can impact hydration levels and slightly alter urine composition,” Dr. Asrar explains.
Avoid intense exercise before your test: Strenuous workouts can increase protein levels in urine, potentially leading to misleading results.
Skip high-dose vitamin C supplements: Some tests can be affected by excessive vitamin C, so it’s best to avoid it before your test.
Once you follow these simple steps, you’ll have nothing to worry about! If you’re unsure about any medication or food restrictions, ask your doctor beforehand.
Common Myths About Urine Test Preparation (Debunked!)
Here are four common myths people believe when preparing for a urine test. We’ve debunked them with facts and doctor recommendations.
Myth #1: Drinking a lot of water helps ‘clean’ my urine
While staying hydrated is important, drinking excessive water can actually dilute your urine too much. And this might lead to inaccurate test results. In some cases, labs may even request a retest if the sample is too diluted.
Myth #2: Holding my pee before the test gives a more accurate sample
You don’t need to ‘save up’ urine before your test. In fact, for routine tests, collecting a midstream sample (after letting the first few drops go) helps avoid contamination from bacteria or cells in the urinary tract.
Myth #3: I should avoid eating anything before a urine test
Usually, urine tests don’t require fasting, so you can eat and drink generally unless your doctor advises otherwise.
Myth #4: Coffee is fine before a urine test
Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it can affect hydration levels and even slightly alter some urine components. It’s best to skip coffee before your test unless your doctor says it’s okay.
Make sure that you do not fall for these common myths. If you have any concerns or doubts, you can even contact your healthcare provider before your check-in to the clinic.
Additional Factors That Can Affect Urine Test Results
Dr. Asrar Sheikh notes that while fasting usually isn’t needed, other factors can still impact your urine test results:
- Certain medications: Diuretics, antibiotics, and even over-the-counter pain relievers can affect urine composition. Always let your doctor know what you’re taking.
- Menstrual cycle interference: If you’re on your period, small traces of blood could contaminate the sample and affect the accuracy of the results. If possible, try to schedule your test outside of your cycle.
- Diet can play tricks on you: Foods like beets, asparagus, and high-protein meals can change the color, smell, or even pH of your urine, sometimes leading to unnecessary concern.
If you’re ever unsure whether something you ate or drank will interfere with your test, ask your doctor beforehand. It’s always better to double-check than to have to redo the test!
Do you live in Indiana or Illinois? You can even contact our Family Urgent Care clinic in Chicago or Schererville for any health concerns you have.
How To Take A Urine Sample For Accurate Results?
When you arrive at the clinic or lab, the doctor will guide you about taking the urine sample accurately. The medical team hands you a sterile plastic cup and guides you through the process.
If you’re asked for a clean catch urine sample, don’t worry! It’s a simple method to prevent bacteria from the skin from contaminating your sample.
Here’s how to do it the right way:
- Start with a quick clean-up: Use the antiseptic wipe provided to clean around your urethra. This step helps keep the sample as pure as possible.
- Let the first few drops go: Begin urinating into the toilet for a second before collecting your sample. This helps flush out any contaminants.
- Catch the midstream: Hold the cup under the urine stream and collect enough for the test. You don’t need to fill it to the brim, just enough for analysis.
- Seal and hand it over: Once you’re done, secure the lid on the cup, wash your hands, and give the sample to the designated lab staff.
Your sample will then be sent to a lab for testing, and you’ll receive results based on the type of test ordered.
If you have any concerns or feel unsure about the process, don’t hesitate to ask the medical staff or your doctor.
Urine Testing At Family Urgent Care In Chicago and Schererville
We have experienced healthcare providers, doctors, consultants and medical assistants to guide you at each and every step of the urine test.
Whether you need to collect a sample for a drug test or perhaps a simple routine urinalysis, our expert team makes sure that you have a quick and stress-free visit.
Here’s what you can expect when you walk in:
- Clear instructions: No confusion as we explain everything to you.
- Fast & hassle-free testing: We respect your time and keep things moving.
- Accurate results you can trust: Our advanced testing ensures precision.
- Friendly staff ready to help: If you have any questions or concerns, we’d be happy to answer them!
There’s no need to stress about your urine test as we’ve got you covered! Visit us at our Chicago or Schererville locations today.