Adults: Patients should be fasting for at least 8 hours. Water is permitted during this fasting period.
Draw fasting specimen and separate serum from the blood within 60 minutes of venipuncture for phosphorus and creatinine. Specimen must be free of particulate matter including fibrin. Avoid venous statis.
For urine collect a random urine specimen without preservatives after voiding the morning urine. 24 hours urine is also acceptable, record total volume of the urine. Acceptable preservatives include 7 g sulfamic acid, 6N HCL.
Newborns: Draw 0.2 mL serum (1 mL red microtainer) and 1 mL random urine with no preservatives. Serum phosphorus has circadian rhythm (highest in the morning and lowest in the evening) and also subject to seasonal variation (maximum level in May and June, and low in winter months).