Urinalysis

Why is this procedure done?

A urinalysis is a test to check your urine. Urine is produced by the kidneys. It contains water, electrolytes, cells, and other things the kidneys filter. This test gives your doctor information about how your body is working. Your doctor may also order it to monitor or diagnose a medical condition. The test is done to: ‚

Look for infection
Find out if there is blood, protein, or sugar in your urine
Look for early signs of illnesses like diabetes and kidney disease
Learn what may be causing kidney problems
Look for drugs or harmful substances inside your body
Look for cells shed from the bladder
Check your health status before surgery or when you are pregnant
Go along with your routine physical

What will the results be?

The doctor will look at the results of your test. The doctor will know if you have an illness that needs treatment.
If the results are normal, it means your body is likely working in a normal way.
If the results are not normal, you may have an illness. Your doctor may order more tests to learn about what is wrong. An abnormal result may also be due to contamination. It may be necessary to repeat this test.
The doctor will talk with you about treatment.

What happens before the procedure?

Your doctor will take your history and do an exam.
Talk to your doctor about all the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
Do not pass urine for at least 1 hour before the test.
Your doctor may tell you to drink a glass of water 15 to 20 minutes before the test.
If you have your period, your doctor may want to do the urine test at some other time.

What happens during the procedure?

You will get a clean plastic cup. You will use this to catch some of your urine.
Wash your hands well with soap and warm water.
Do not touch the inside of the cup or lid.
Start to pass urine, then catch some urine midstream using the plastic cup. Make sure your cup is about 1/3 full of urine.
Leave the sample where instructed.
If you are not able to pass urine on your own or if the doctor wants a sterile sample, the doctor may use another method to collect urine like:
- Using a small rubber tube called a catheter to get a sample. This is put into the tube that drains your urine from your bladder. This tube is called your urethra. The doctor will clean the area and put some gel on the rubber tube or area. You might feel a little pain. Your doctor will use a plastic cup to catch some urine. The tube will be taken out when the test is done.
- Putting a needle right into your bladder. You will lie on an exam table. Your doctor will clean the skin below your belly button. The doctor will put the needle with a syringe deep into your bladder. When this is done, your doctor will remove the needle and cover the area with clean bandages.
Your doctor may dip a test strip in your urine. The doctor may send it to the lab for more testing.
You may need to try to pass urine again if more urine is needed.
The test takes about 5 minutes.

What happens after the procedure?

You should be able to go home right after the test. Check with your doctor.
Ask your doctor when you can get the results.

What care is needed at home?

Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
You may do your everyday activities when you get back home, unless your doctor says not to.
Your doctor will tell you if you should continue or stop taking any drugs you were taking before the test.
If a needle was used to obtain the urine sample, keep the area clean and dry for the first 24 hours.

What follow-up care is needed?

The results will help your doctor understand if you have a problem. Together you can make a plan for more care. Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. If you do not hear back from your doctor about your test results, call your doctor. Do not assume the test was normal. ‚

What problems could happen?

The test is most often safe. ‚
If the sample is collected using a catheter, some problems may include: ‚

Infection
Pain

If the sample is collected using a needle and syringe, some problems may include: ‚

Infection
Bleeding
Injury to the bladder

Helpful tips

It is best to get an early morning urine sample. If you need to provide the sample in the clinic, try to go to the lab or clinic first thing in the morning.
Try to drink some water before the test. This can help to make sure you have a full bladder.

Where can I learn more?

American Association for Clinical Chemistry ‚
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/urinalysis/tab/test ‚
American Urological Association Foundation ‚
http://www.urologyhealth.org/urology/index.cfm?article=69 ‚
KidsHealth ‚
http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/labtest7.html ‚

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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