Urinalysis / Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test

About this test

This test evaluates your urine using two complementary methods — a chemical dipstick analysis and a microscopic examination of the urine sediment — to detect urinary tract infections, assess kidney function, and identify a range of urinary abnormalities. It is one of the most broadly informative routine tests available and can flag conditions ranging from UTIs and kidney stones to diabetes-related changes and early kidney disease.

The dipstick and microscopic methods work together: the dipstick provides a fast chemical screen across key markers, while the microscope gives a direct visual look at what is actually present in the urine.

Components

• Appearance and Color: Healthy urine is typically pale to medium yellow and clear. Cloudiness, unusual color (pink, orange, brown), or strong odor can signal infection, blood, bile, or other abnormalities.
• Specific Gravity: Measures urine concentration, reflecting how well the kidneys are concentrating waste. Very dilute or very concentrated urine can indicate kidney problems or dehydration.
• pH: The acidity or alkalinity of urine. Abnormal pH can be associated with kidney stones, urinary tract infections, or certain metabolic conditions.
• Glucose: Glucose is not normally present in urine. Its presence is a common indicator of uncontrolled diabetes or other conditions affecting blood sugar regulation.
• Bilirubin: A breakdown product of red blood cells. Bilirubin in urine can signal liver disease or bile duct obstruction and is not normally detectable.
• Ketones: Produced when the body burns fat for fuel. Elevated urine ketones can reflect uncontrolled diabetes, prolonged fasting, or very low-carbohydrate diets.
• Blood (Hemoglobin): Blood in the urine (hematuria) can indicate a UTI, kidney stones, bladder irritation, or — less commonly — a more serious urinary tract condition warranting follow-up.
• Protein: Protein is not normally found in significant amounts in urine. Elevated protein (proteinuria) can be an early sign of kidney disease, high blood pressure affecting the kidneys, or other systemic conditions.
• Nitrite: Produced when certain bacteria convert urinary nitrates. A positive result strongly suggests a bacterial urinary tract infection.
• Leukocyte Esterase: An enzyme released by white blood cells. Its presence in urine indicates inflammation — most commonly from a UTI. Together with nitrite, these are the two most reliable dipstick indicators of a bacterial infection.
• White Blood Cells (WBCs): Seen under the microscope, elevated WBCs in urine indicate the body is fighting an infection or inflammation in the urinary tract or kidneys.
• Red Blood Cells (RBCs): Visible blood cells under the microscope. Their shape and quantity can help distinguish between urinary tract bleeding, kidney damage, and contamination.
• Epithelial Cells: Cells that line the urinary tract. A small number is normal; large numbers can indicate contamination or irritation of the urinary tract walls.
• Bacteria: Direct visualization of bacteria in urine sediment is a strong indicator of active infection, particularly when accompanied by WBCs and a positive nitrite.
• Yeast: The presence of yeast (typically Candida) can indicate a fungal infection of the urinary tract, most commonly in people with diabetes or those who are immunocompromised.
• Crystals: Certain crystal types in urine (calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite) are associated with kidney stone formation and can help identify the stone type for targeted prevention.
• Hyaline Casts: Cylindrical structures formed in the kidney tubules. A small number of hyaline casts is normal; certain other cast types (granular, cellular) can indicate kidney disease.

Who is this test for?

This test is appropriate for anyone with symptoms of a urinary tract infection (burning on urination, frequency, urgency, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, pelvic pain), as part of a routine annual health check, for people monitoring a known kidney condition, or for those with diabetes who are screening for kidney-related changes. No doctor's referral is required.