Dietary restrictions for 24 hour urine collections

Please avoid the following for the 24 hours of the collection:

• Vigorous exercise.
• Excess nicotine (smoking, nicotine patches, electronic cigarettes).
• Coffee.
• Large doses of vitamin C (a glass of orange juice is fine).
• Curry leaves and chili pepper (capsaicin).

Medications can also affect the results. Please list any medications you are taking on the request form.

You must avoid eating some types of food from 48 hours before you start collecting urine, and throughout the collection period, because they can affect the results:

• avoid eating avocados, bananas, kiwi fruit, pineapple, red plums, tomatoes, walnuts.
• Do not drink alcohol.
• Avoid taking cough mixture and/or paracetamol.

These substances can increase the amount of 5HIAA in your urine and cause a raised result.

This information is intended for patients receiving care in Brighton & Hove or Haywards Heath.

The information here is for guidance purposes only and is in no way intended to replace professional clinical advice by a qualified practitioner.