Quick Facts
- Sample: Urine
- Fasting: No special preparation required
- Turnaround: 1-2 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Important: This test can identify urine findings that may suggest a urinary tract infection (UTI), but it is not intended to diagnose or confirm a UTI. A urine culture may be needed for definitive diagnosis.
What's Included
Physical and Chemical Examination
- Specific Gravity: Measures the concentration of your urine sample.
- pH: Reflects the acid/base balance of your body.
- Color: Notes urine coloration, which can be affected by medications, foods, or hydration.
- Appearance: Checks for cloudiness or turbidity in the sample.
- WBC Esterase (Leukocyte Esterase): Detects white blood cell activity often linked to infection.
- Leukocyte Esterase: A chemical marker on the dipstick that flags the presence of white blood cells, often indicating a urinary tract infection.
- Protein: Measures albumin levels in the urine.
- Glucose: Checks for sugar in the urine.
- Ketones: Detects byproducts of fat metabolism.
- Occult Blood: Screens for blood in the urine.
- Bilirubin: Detects a liver waste product in the urine.
- Urobilinogen: Measures a compound formed from bilirubin.
- Nitrite: Screens for bacterial presence.
Microscopic Examination
- White Blood Cells (WBC): Evaluated for signs of inflammation or infection.
- Red Blood Cells (RBC): Checked for signs of irritation or injury in the urinary tract.
- Epithelial Cells: Includes squamous and non-renal epithelial cells.
- Squamous Epithelial Cells: Flat cells shed from the lining of the urinary tract or external genitalia; typically not concerning unless present in large numbers.
- Casts: Includes hyaline casts, cylindrical particles formed in the kidneys.
- Hyaline Cast: A translucent, cylindrical structure formed from protein in the kidney tubules; small numbers can be a normal finding.
- Bacteria: Checked for presence, which may indicate infection.
Note: The microscopic examination is performed automatically, and specific components are reported as results warrant.
Benefits
- Screens for urinary tract infections and inflammation in one test.
- Checks kidney related indicators like protein and blood.
- Highlights liver related waste products in urine.
- Flags elevated glucose and ketones linked to blood sugar imbalances.
- Combines physical, chemical, and microscopic urine details in one panel.
Who Is This Test For?
- Anyone experiencing urinary symptoms like pain or frequent urination.
- Individuals wanting to monitor kidney related health markers.
- People interested in liver related waste product levels.
- Those tracking urinary changes over time.
- Anyone advised by a healthcare provider to check urine health.
How It Works
- Order Your Test Online
- Visit a Local Lab
- Get Results Online
FAQ
1. What is the purpose of this test?
This panel evaluates your urine through physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. It looks at factors like specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, and blood, alongside microscopic elements such as white blood cells, red blood cells, and bacteria. Together, these components offer a broad look at urinary and related health markers, though this panel alone does not diagnose any condition.
2. Who is this test for, and when should I order it?
This panel may be useful for people experiencing urinary symptoms, such as abdominal or back pain, painful or frequent urination, or visible blood in the urine, as well as anyone wanting a general overview of urinary chemistry and microscopic findings. You might consider ordering it if you're experiencing symptoms like these, if a healthcare provider has recommended checking your urinary health, or as part of general monitoring of urinary related markers over time within a broader health picture.
3. Do I need to fast before this test?
No special preparation is required for this test.
4. How quickly will I get results?
Results are typically available in 1-2 business days, though this may take longer based on weather, holidays, or lab delays.
5. How do I interpret my results?
Patterns across multiple biomarkers are often more meaningful than any single value on its own. Reviewing your specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, and microscopic findings together, rather than in isolation, can offer more useful context. Always discuss your full results with a healthcare provider who can help interpret them in light of your overall health.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
6. What should I do if my results are abnormal?
If any of your results fall outside the expected range, share them with a healthcare provider. They can help determine what the findings may mean in the context of your health history and whether any follow up steps are appropriate.
7. How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency varies from person to person. Consider retesting as directed by your healthcare provider, particularly if you are monitoring symptoms or an existing health concern over time. Reviewing urinary chemistry and microscopic findings on an ongoing basis, combined with guidance from a healthcare provider, can be a helpful part of staying informed about your overall well being.
Pre-test preparation
No special preparation required.
