A routine urinalysis (UA) can reveal diseases that have gone unnoticed because they do not produce striking signs or symptoms. Examples include diabetes, various forms of kidney disease, and chronic urinary tract infections. A routine urinalysis consists of three distinct testing phases:

1. Physical examination — evaluates urine color, clarity, and concentration (specific gravity)
2. Chemical examination — provides valuable information about health and disease and includes the following:

• Glucose
• Protein
• Ketones
• Blood
• Leukocyte esterase
• Nitrite
• Bilirubin
• Urobilinogen
• pH

• A microscopic examination — A microscopic examination is performed ONLY if any of the following are positive: protein, leukocyte esterase, blood, or nitrites. If performed, the results will include:

• WBC’s
• RBC’s
• Epithelial cells (renal and non-renal)
• Casts and cast type
• Crystals and crystal type
• Mucus
• Bacteria
• Yeast
• Sperm
• Trichomonas

Instructions

Fasting is not required for this test. This test may be performed at any time of the day; a first, morning void is not necessary.

Note

Certain medicines change the color of urine which is not necessarily a sign of disease. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking certain medications and supplements that can affect test results. These can include:

• Chloroquine
• Iron supplements
• Levodopa
• Nitrofurantoin
• Phenazopyridine
• Phenothiazines
• Phenytoin
• Riboflavin
• Triamterene