Urinalysis - Tests and Results

What Is Urinalysis or Urine Analysis?

A urinalysis or urine analysis is a commonly recommended test that detects various urological disorders and different aspects of health simply by obtaining a urine sample. Doctors perform this test to screen or monitor the patient for specific health conditions and diagnose urinary tract infections. As the name suggests, urinalysis is a whole analysis of the urine and mainly examines urine's visual, microscopic, and chemical aspects. It can be done alone or in combination with other tests to detect and measure the various compounds in the urine. Doctors often use urinalysis to monitor common medical conditions like diabetes and kidney diseases and to diagnose urinary tract infections

Which Tests Are Included Under Urinalysis?

The doctor can include different tests under urinalysis depending on the symptoms, the preexisting health conditions, or the situation. Therefore, the doctor will examine the urine sample under urinalysis for the following aspects:

• Urine Color and Appearance - The doctor checks how the urine sample looks to the naked eye. They might also detect changes in the appearance of urine. For example, the urine might appear cloudy, pale, or dark yellow. Normally, the urine might range from colorless to deep amber, depending upon the urine concentration. Medications, supplements, and foods like beet can also change the color of urine. However, a change in urine color can also signify urologic disorders. For example, patients with red-colored urine might suffer from urinary tract infections or other diseases. Sometimes, the urine appears cloudy due to sperm, white blood cells, bacteria, and red blood cells.

• Chemical Findings of Urine - The doctor or the laboratory technician uses special strips known as dipsticks to examine the chemical aspects of urine. The strips have chemicals that change color when they come in contact with certain substances. The extent of color change on the dipstick gives an idea about the concentration of substances present in the urine. The following tests make use of a dipstick and can be done along with the urinalysis:

  • Protein Urine Test - This test measures the number of proteins present in the urine. If the urine contains more than the normal amounts of proteins, some underlying disorders can be suspected.

  • Urine pH Test - This test measures the urine pH or the acid-base balance of the urine. A high urine pH indicates the conditions affecting the kidney tissues. A low urine pH is a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis and diarrhea.

  • Ketone Urine Test - Ketones form when the body breaks down fatty acids and fats for energy. This happens when the body has insufficient carbohydrates.

  • Glucose Urine Test - As the name suggests, this test is done to check the glucose levels in the urine. Normally, the urine should not contain glucose, but the presence of glucose can be a sign of diabetes.

• Microscopic Findings of Urine - The following aspects are included under the microscopic tests:

  • Red Blood Cells (RBCs) - If the urine shows an elevated number of RBCs, hematuria or blood in the urine can be suspected.

  • White Blood Cells - If the urine shows an increased number of white blood cells, the patient might be suffering from inflammation or infection of the urinary tract.

  • Epithelial Cells - Epithelial cells are those which form the lining of several internal and external body organs. The urinary tract is also lined by epithelial cells, and it is normal to have some epithelial cells in the urine. However, an elevated number of epithelial cells is a sign of infection.

Why Would a Patient Need Urinalysis?

The doctor might recommend urinalysis for several reasons because a urine sample can provide a detailed overview of the patient's health. Urinalysis is done for the following reasons:

• It can be done as a part of the routine medical examination to screen for medical conditions.

• This test is helpful if the patient has signs and symptoms of diabetes or kidney disease.

• Urinalysis helps the doctor monitor the condition for which the patient is receiving treatment.

• It helps diagnose urinary tract infections.

• It can be done to check the patient’s condition before the surgery.

How Can a Patient Prepare for a Urinalysis?

Before a urinalysis, the patient must drink sufficient water so that the patient urinates and can produce the urine sample. Sometimes, the doctor might ask the patient to give a urine sample after the first void in the morning. The doctor might ask the patient to stop taking certain medications before the procedure as they might change the urine color and vary the test results. A female who is menstruating must inform the doctor before the test because menstruation and vaginal discharge can alter the test results.

What Happens During a Urinalysis?

Mostly, the patient performs urinalysis at the doctor’s office or in a laboratory by following the clean catch method. This method aims to eliminate all the contaminants from the urine so that the sample is sterile. The doctor will provide a cup, sterile wipes, and some instructions for collecting the urine sample. The steps of urine collection for urinalysis are listed below:

• Clean the labia or the penis head with the help of sterile wipes.

• Spread your legs apart and urinate a small amount into the toilet.

• Stop the urine flow midstream and start and clean the urethra.

• Hold the cup near the urethra and start urinating.

• Close the lid of the cup and send the urine sample to the laboratory for examination under a microscope.

What Do the Test Results Mean?

There can be several interpretations of the urinalysis test result. Abnormal results might indicate urinary tract infections or other medical conditions, but the results are not 100 percent reliable. Mostly, abnormal urinalysis results mean that further testing, mainly blood tests and imaging tests, are required. So, the higher the concentration of a particular substance like glucose or red blood cells, the greater the risk of the patient suffering from other medical conditions. However, doctors rarely use urinalysis to confirm other diseases.

Conclusion:

Urinalysis is a common and helpful test that helps diagnose common urologic problems. However, abnormal test results do not always necessarily indicate that the patient is suffering from urologic diseases or other underlying medical conditions. It is only recommended to get an insight into the patient’s medical condition. So, the patient must not be worried about the test results and consult the doctor at the earliest to know more about the procedure.