Urine C/E (Complete, Analysis)

Specimen Required

Urine (Random/Spot)

Fasting Required

Purpose of the Test

To look for metabolic and kidney disorders and for urinary tract infections

When this test is required

A routine urinalysis may be done when you visit your doctor, when you attend the outpatient clinic or when you are admitted to the hospital. It may also be part of a routine medical examination, a new pregnancy evaluation, or preparation for planned surgery. A urinalysis will most likely be performed if you see your doctor complaining of tummy pain, back pain, painful or frequent urination, or blood in the urine. This test can also be useful in monitoring whether a condition is getting better or worse.

What the Test Detects

This test identifies and measures some of the by-products of normal and abnormal metabolism, cells, cell fragments, and bacteria in urine. Urine is produced by the kidneys, which filter wastes out of the blood, help regulate the amount of water in the body, and conserve proteins, electrolytes, and other compounds that the body can reuse. Anything that is not needed is excreted in the urine.Several diseases can be diagnosed in…This test identifies and measures some of the by-products of normal and abnormal metabolism, cells, cell fragments, and bacteria in urine. Urine is produced by the kidneys, which filter wastes out of the blood, help regulate the amount of water in the body, and conserve proteins, electrolytes, and other compounds that the body can reuse. Anything that is not needed is excreted in the urine.Several diseases can be diagnosed in their early stages by detecting abnormalities in the urine. Abnormally high levels of glucose, protein, bilirubin, red blood cells, white blood cells, crystals, and bacteria can indicate disease. They may be present because: 1) There are elevated concentrations in the blood which spill over into urine2) Kidney disease has made the kidneys less effective at filtering or3) An infection has put bacteria and white blood cells into the urine . A complete urinalysis consists of three distinct testing phases:Visual examination, which evaluates the urine’s colour, clarity, and concentration; Chemical examination, which tests chemically for a number of substances that provide valuable information about health and disease; and Microscopic examination, which identifies and counts the type of cells, casts, crystals, and other components (bacteria, mucous ) that can be present in urine. See below for details of these examinations. Today, a routine urinalysis consists of the visual and the chemical examinations. Your urine may be examined under a microscope if there is an abnormal finding in one of the first two phases listed above or if your doctor specifically requests it. See MoreSee Less

Preparation for the Test

No test preparation is needed

Sample Requirements

Sample of urine (20-50 mls) in a sterile container; the first urine passed in the morning is preferred.Urine for urinalysis however can be collected at any time. The first morning sample is the most valuable because it is more concentrated and more likely to demonstrate abnormal results if there is an underlying problem e.g. blood from bleeding in the urinary tract.Because of the potential (particularly in women) to contaminate urine with bacteria and cells from the surrounding skin, it is important to first clean the genitalia. Men should wipe the tip of the penis; women should spread the labia of the vagina and clean from front to back. As you start to urinate, let some urine fall into the toilet, then collect a sample of urine in the container provided.

Additional Notes

No prior preparation is needed for a spot urine test, unless specified by your doctor.

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