Urinalysis

A urinalysis involves looking at the external appearance of the urine, and the concentration and content of the sample. This can happen at the doctor’s office, or it may need to be sent to a lab for further inspecting. A urinalysis is the starting point in diagnosing a variety of illnesses.

Why Do Doctors Order a Urinalysis?

A doctor will order a urinalysis for three main reasons. These reasons are:

• Regular medical screening which can include yearly physical testing, before surgery screening, during a pregnancy check-up, and for a hospital admission to diagnose certain diseases.
• To diagnose symptoms such as back pain, fever, blood in the urine, abdominal pain, pain or discomfort when urinating, and other problems associated with urine.
• To monitor a diagnosed medical condition, this may include liver or kidney disease or a urinary tract illness. If the urinalysis is done for a medical condition, it may be recommended on a regular basis.

Pregnancy tests and drug screenings are also a type of urinalysis. These tests involve looking for substances that typically are not found in urine. Drug tests are looking for particular drugs, and pregnancy tests are looking for certain hormones.

How is the Urinalysis Administered?

It is possible to collect the urine at home or the doctor’s office, depending on the reasons behind the test. For example, some doctors want the first urine specimen of the day because it is more concentrated.

The steps involved in the collecting of the urine are simple. The first step is to clean the urinary tract opening. The doctor will provide antiseptic wipes for males and females. The next step is to begin to urinate in the toilet, and then put the sample collection cup into the stream. The doctor will typically need at least one to two ounces. After collecting the sample, a patient will follow the doctor or laboratory’s orders about delivering it.

Results of the Urinalysis

A urinalysis involves different types of exams. The first exam is a visual inspection. The technician is inspecting the sample for cloudiness, color, and any odor.

The next step is a dipstick test. A dipstick test involves the doctor putting a thin stick with chemicals on it into the urine. This test checks for ketones, sugar, protein, concentration, acidity, bilirubin, infection, and blood in the sample. Each of these different elements will reveal something about the urine. For example, ketones and sugar levels can indicate diabetes and may require follow-up testing. Acidity can help determine urinary tract or kidney problems. Any irregularities may need further testing.

Another test is a microscopic exam. This test involves the urine being examined under a microscope. The technician is looking at the white blood cells, bacteria, and red blood cells in the blood.