What is a major drawback of a 24-hour urine collection?

A major drawback of a 24-hour urine collection is that patient cooperation is essential and often hard to achieve. This test requires the patient to collect all urine produced over a full 24-hour period, which can be challenging for many individuals. Factors such as forgetting to collect the urine, difficulties in maintaining the collection process at home, or discomfort associated with frequent urination can lead to incomplete collections.

The accuracy and reliability of the test depend significantly on the patient's ability to follow the protocol precisely. Incomplete or improperly collected samples can result in misleading or incorrect test results, which may impact diagnosis or treatment. Therefore, the requirement for diligent patient cooperation makes this method less feasible in some cases, as failure to adhere to collection instructions can severely compromise the test's integrity.