Urine Routine Examination (Urine R/E)

Urine infection & kidney screen

A urine routine examination, also called urinalysis, looks at your urine in three ways: its appearance, its chemistry (such as protein, sugar and acidity) and, under a microscope, any cells, crystals or bacteria. It is a simple first test that can show signs of a urine infection, kidney problems or high blood sugar, and it is often part of a routine check-up.

• If you have burning or pain when passing urine, or need to pass urine often
• To look for protein or blood in the urine as a sign of kidney problems
• To check for sugar in the urine in people with or at risk of diabetes
• If you have fever with back pain, or cloudy or strong-smelling urine
• During pregnancy and as part of routine health check-ups

You do not need to fast. The first urine of the morning is preferred because it is more concentrated. Wash your hands and clean the genital area with water before collecting, and tell the collector if you are having your period, as blood can affect the result.

Sample

Urine sample

How it works

The collector gives you a clean, sterile container. Start passing urine into the toilet, then catch the middle part of the stream in the container without touching the inside, and close the lid tightly. The collector labels it and takes it for testing.

Report

Within 24 hours of collection.

The report lists each finding, such as colour, protein, sugar, pus cells and red cells, next to the laboratory's expected values. Pus cells and bacteria can point to a urine infection, protein or blood can suggest a kidney problem, and sugar can suggest high blood sugar. Some findings come from a contaminated sample. Your doctor will interpret the results and may ask for a urine culture or blood tests.

One test: Urine Routine Examination (Urine R/E), from one urine sample.