What It Conveys
A urinalysis provides physicians with information about several body systems, not just the urinary tract. Findings can include:
- Infection – Presence of white blood cells, nitrites, and bacteria suggests infection, even before culture results confirm it.
- Blood – May indicate kidney stones, infection, trauma, or (less commonly) tumors. Sometimes it is microscopic and not visible to the eye.
- Protein – Can suggest kidney stress or damage.
- Glucose or ketones – May indicate poorly controlled diabetes or metabolic states like fasting/starvation.
- Hydration – Urine concentration (specific gravity) helps estimate hydration level.
- Crystals or casts – Can point toward kidney stones or specific kidney diseases.
- Urinalysis is a screening tool, not a definitive diagnosis on its own. Abnormal results often require follow-up testing.
A reflex test may also be ordered with a urinalysis. If the first, routine test reveals something unusual, the lab immediately takes a closer look at the same sample – an abnormal urinalysis prompts, or “reflexes” to a microscopic examination or culture for further investigation.
What Else to Consider
Urinalysis also comes with limitations. False positives or false negatives can occur; the time of day can affect urine composition; and diet and certain medications can influence appearance or readings. In fact, you may be asked to limit or stop taking some of your supplements, such as vitamins C and B, due to interference with the chemistry of the tests.
No special preparation is needed, but the genital area is cleaned before collection to reduce contamination. The patient collects the urine themselves in the privacy of a bathroom, where the first portion of the urine stream goes into the toilet and the “clean catch” is collected midstream into a cup. The actual collection is quick and straightforward, and results are available immediately or within 72 hours, depending on the test being run on the sample.
Women who are still menstruating should avoid collection during their menstrual period, as the blood can confuse the reading.
For more information about urinalysis or other testing, contact our team at Georgia Urology.
