Test Quick GuideA urinalysis is a test that checks several components of a urine sample. Visual, chemical, and microscopic tests are all part of a complete urinalysis. Show
Urinalysis is frequently used to screen for urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney and liver issues, and diabetes. A urinalysis may be performed during a routine check-up, to evaluate certain symptoms, or upon admission to the hospital. It is also a common test if you are pregnant. The purpose of a urinalysis test is to check for abnormalities in the appearance or composition of your urine. It is commonly used for screening, diagnosing, and monitoring different health conditions, such as kidney problems, diabetes, or UTIs. A urinalysis involves a series of assessments of a urine sample. It can measure one or more different components depending on the purpose of the test and the health care provider performing it. A complete urinalysis will
typically include a visual (also called physical) examination, a microscopic examination, and a chemical dipstick test, each of which involves different measurements and evaluations. During the visual examination, a health care provider assesses the appearance of the urine and evaluates the following: This examination is done by looking at drops of concentrated urine under a microscope to see if there are physical traces of the following: The dipstick test uses a chemical strip that is submerged in the sample that changes color when exposed to different substances. This test may be used to check various aspects of the urine sample including: Urinalysis testing is very common. And it’s a good idea to talk to your doctor if you notice changes in your urine’s color, odor, or consistency. Some telling symptoms that trigger health care professionals to suggest a urinalysis include frequent or painful urination, blood in your urine, other urinary difficulties, ongoing abdominal back pain, or if you are pregnant or soon undergoing a surgical procedure. Urinalysis
can also be part of a regular medical checkup. If you have a medical condition such as kidney disease or diabetes, your doctor may advise you to have regular urine tests to monitor your condition and treatment. Or if you are at high risk for these conditions, your doctor might suggest regular testing as a precautionary measure. A urinalysis can be performed at all ages, including for children who are showing symptoms of a UTI. During an in-office visit, your doctor may order a urinalysis and have you collect the sample in a specialized restroom equipped with cleaning wipes and specimen collection materials. Or, depending on the type of sample required, your health care provider might ask you to collect it at home and bring it into the
office. Certain medical offices and clinics are equipped to perform a complete urinalysis, which includes visual, chemical, and microscopic examinations of the sample. Other providers may collaborate with an external laboratory that specializes in this comprehensive testing. You can also order a urinalysis online and visit the recommended lab to provide your sample. If you go this route, review your results with a health care professional, who might recommend a follow-up test to confirm results or an office visit to discuss symptoms and next steps. There are over-the-counter UTI urinalysis kits that work a lot like pregnancy tests. The kits come with a dipstick containing a testing trip that you hold in your urine stream or dip into a urine sample you collect in a cup. The results appear within a couple of minutes. Keep in mind that these tests are designed for if you experience frequent UTIs, and they are not as reliable as a culture performed in a lab. Can I take the test at home?You can take an at-home UTI test if you suspect symptoms as a first step before consulting your doctor for a urinalysis culture that is more comprehensive and accurate. Or you can order a urinalysis online and visit the participating lab. Still, follow up with your doctor to discuss results, as a health care provider might recommend a follow-up screening and office visit. In some cases, a doctor may order at-home urine collection over the course of a full day. For these tests, you will use special containers to obtain your sample and then bring it to a medical office or laboratory for testing. How much does the test cost?The cost of urinalysis testing varies depending on a number of considerations, such as where the test is performed, which components of the test are included, and whether you have medical insurance. Although you might be responsible for copays or a deductible, insurance often covers the cost of testing if it is prescribed by your doctor. If you do not have health insurance or your insurance does not cover the test, it may be helpful to discuss the cost of urinalysis testing with a doctor or hospital administrator. If you buy a urinalysis online and get tested in the participating lab, the cost can be about $29 for a general urinalysis that tests for proteins and signs of infection. Or it’s $69 for a urinalysis with reflex to a culture that analyzes the physical, chemical, and microscopic quality of your urine sample and includes a culture if necessary. A protein, 24-hour urine analysis can cost $89 and is a more accurate assessment, usually recommended after a routine urinalysis indicates abnormal protein levels. At-home urinalysis test strips that are usually used to identify a UTI before you go to the doctor for further screening cost $10 to $25. Taking a Urinalysis TestIt is necessary to provide a urine sample for a urinalysis. Your doctor will inform you about what kind of sample is required. The two main ways of obtaining a sample are a 24-hour urine collection and a one-time urine collection with the clean-catch method.
Be sure to carefully follow any instructions from your doctor about the type of sample needed and how to collect it properly because this can impact the accuracy of test results. Before the testUsually, you can eat and drink without any restrictions before a urinalysis. However, if the urinalysis is being done along with other tests, you may be required to fast beforehand. Your doctor will advise. Many drugs, including over-the-counter medications and herbal or dietary supplements, can affect urinalysis results. Inform your doctor about all the medications, vitamins, and supplements you take before the test. While there are normally few preparations required for a urinalysis test, make sure to follow any specific instructions provided by your doctor. During the testA urine sample can be collected at home or at the location of your health care provider depending on the kind of sample needed. Urine specimen containers are usually given to you by the provider. For a 24-hour urine collection, you will need to obtain all your urine during a specific 24-hour period.
For a one-time urine sample, you may be asked to collect the sample first thing in the morning when your urine is more concentrated. A clean-catch method may be used to collect urine midstream:
After the testThere are no side effects after a urinalysis test. Once your sample is provided, you can resume normal activities. If you are taking the test because you are experiencing symptoms, continue to report those symptoms to your doctor. Urinalysis Test ResultsReceiving test resultsYour doctor may contact you by phone or email to discuss the findings of your test. A copy of the urinalysis lab test result can sometimes be obtained by mail or through an online health platform. Results are usually available within a few business days and sometimes as quickly as 24 hours from the time you provide your urine sample at the lab. If you use Testing.com, your results will be available on the site in a personal, secured account you can conveniently access. If you buy an at-home urinalysis test kit that is used for identifying a UTI, the dipstick containing the test strip will usually show results within a few minutes. Interpreting test resultsYour test report will list the types of analysis performed on your urine sample. It may include a summary of any specific findings with a written description of results from microscopic and visual examination. The details provided in your test results depend on the type of urinalysis. For example, a routine urinalysis will share results for gravity, pH, protein, glucose, ketones, occult blood, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, bilirubin, and urobilinogen. A 24-hour protein urinalysis test will indicate more specific levels of protein. For any measurements taken, the test report may show your levels alongside a reference range. This range reflects the laboratory’s expected values for a healthy person. Reference ranges often vary slightly between different laboratories because they can employ different measurement methods. Because these ranges may differ by the laboratory, read your test report carefully and discuss it with your doctor. Urinalysis tests are interpreted based on the results of the different components of the test and other factors, including your symptoms and overall health. Your doctor will look for any abnormalities in the test. The significance of an irregularity in the urine’s physical, chemical, or microscopic characteristics might vary depending on your health history and current situation. Many different health conditions can cause abnormal results on a urinalysis test. Examples of conditions that may lead to abnormal results include:
Certain medications, vitamins, and supplements can cause irregularities in urinalysis results. Some foods can also cause changes to the color and odor of urine that may lead to an irregularity during urinalysis. Other circumstances that can impact test results include:
It is important to talk with your health care provider to understand the details of your urinalysis test and what the results mean for your health. Keep in mind, an abnormal urinalysis screening does not indicate the underlying cause, so your doctor might need to collect additional information with other testing to confirm or rule out a diagnosis. Keep the lines of communication open with your health care provider. Regardless of your results, here are some questions to ask:
Resources
SourcesA.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urinary Casts. Updated July 23, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003586.htmA.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urine 24-Hour Volume. Updated July 19, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003425.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urine Protein Dipstick Test. Updated July 19, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003580.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urine Specific Gravity Test. Updated July 23, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003587.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Ketones Urine Test. Updated November 5, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003585.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Clean Catch Urine Sample. Updated August 13, 2020. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007487.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urinalysis. Updated January 16, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003579.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Bilirubin Urine Test. Updated July 19, 2021. Accessed September 28, 2022, https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003595.htm Chung PH. Urinalysis and Urine Culture. Merck Manual Consumer Edition. Updated May 2022. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/diagnosis-of-kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/urinalysis-and-urine-culture Lerma EV, Slivka K. Urinalysis. In: Devaraj S, ed. Medscape. Updated June 15, 2022. August 23, 2022. https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/2074001-overview#showall Maddukuri G. Evaluation of the Renal Patient. Merck Manual Professional Edition. Updated November 2020. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/genitourinary-disorders/approach-to-the-genitourinary-patient/evaluation-of-the-renal-patient MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Urinalysis. Updated May 5, 2016. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/urinalysis.html MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Protein in Urine. Updated May 18, 2022. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/protein-in-urine/ Misdraji J, Nguyen PL. Urinalysis. When–and When Not–To Order. Postgrad Med. 1996;100(1):. doi:10.3810/pgm.1996.07.15 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/8668615/ Milani DAQ, Jialal I. Urinalysis. In: StatPearls. Updated May 8, 2022. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557685/ Roxe DM. Chapter 191. Urinalysis. In: The History, Physical, and Laboratory Examinations. 3rd Edition. 1990. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK302 Simerville JA, Maxted WC, Pahira JJ. Urinalysis: A Comprehensive Review [Published Correction Appears in Am Fam Physician. 2006 Oct 1;74(7):1096]. Am Fam Physician. 2005;71(6):1153-1162. Accessed September 28, 2022. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15791892/ See More Ask a Laboratory Scientist
This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. Send Us Your Question Send Us Your QuestionWhich of the following is the most frequently perform procedure in the medical office laboratory?Routine urinalysis (UA) is one of the most frequently requested laboratory procedures at Main Line Health Laboratories (MLHL) because it can provide a useful indication of body health. It can be performed on a "first morning" or random urine specimen.
What is the most frequently seen parasite in the urine quizlet?The most frequent parasite encountered in the urine is Trichomonas vaginalis. The Trichomonas trophozoite is a pear shaped flagellate with an undulating membrane.
What are the four steps in physical examination of a urine specimen?Four steps in a physical examination of a urine specimen:. Assess volume, make sure amount is sufficient for testing.. Observe and record color, appearance, & transparency of specimen.. Note any unusual urine color & odor.. Measure specific gravity.. What is the importance of proper urine collection?Proper collection of urine specimens is important to avoid contamination of the specimen or deterioration of urine constituents. Ensure the urine collection container is clean and the container manufacturer has guaranteed that interfering substances will not leach into the specimen.
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