Urine Test

A urine test is one of the most common medical examinations that a doctor will perform on a patient. It is a very useful tool in providing information that assists the doctor in diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of a wide range of diseases.

The optimal sample tends to be an early morning urine sample because it is frequently the most concentrated urine produced in the day.

Methods of collection are slightly different for female and male patient.

For females, the patient is asked to clean the area around the urethra with a special cleansing wipe, by spreading the labia of the external genitals and cleaning from front to back (towards the anus).

For men, the tip of the penis may be wiped with a cleansing pad prior to collection.

The urine is then collected in a clean urine specimen cup while the patient is urinating. It is best to avoid collecting the initial stream of urine. After the initial part of urine is disposed of in the toilet, then the urine is collected in the urine container provided.

The collected urine sample should be taken to the laboratory for analysis, typically within one hour of collection. If transportation to the lab could take more than one hour, then the sample may be refrigerated.

When do you need a Urine Test?

A single sample of urine is normally used to determine whether there are increased amounts of specific substances in your urine, such as glucose, red blood cells, white blood cells, or protein. The urine test is a "snapshot" assessment of your urine at one point in time. It is a valuable screening tool for urinary tract infections, kidneys diseases, and other conditions.

It is possible to discover diseases of many different organs of the body with a urine test. It may represent the only necessary investigation if, for instance, the purpose is to find out if you suffer from cystitis. In other cases it will be taken along with other tests (such as stool or blood tests) as part of the investigation process.

A urine test is a cheap, simple test that can provide a lot of important information, for example:

• Blood in the urine may be a sign of different diseases in the kidneys, the urinary system or the bladder.
• Sugar in the urine may be a sign of diabetes.
• Protein in the urine may be a sign of a kidney disease and can be used to detect the early signs of kidney damage from long-standing diabetes.
• Biochemical analysis of the urine can assist in the diagnosis of kidney stones, myeloma and porphyria.
• Analysis under a microscope of cells (cytology) shed from the lining of the bladder that are present in the urine, can assist in the diagnosis and treatment of bladder cancer.

What are the Risks in a Urine Test?

The urine test is relatively safe to all and one will rarely have any side effects after the procedure. However, if you have any concerns about the procedure, you should inform your doctor who will guide you on the solutions.

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