Laboratory test · Preventive health checks
Urine: dipstick and sediment
- Sample: first morning urine, midstream
- Preparation: deliver promptly, preferably within 2 h
Test price
- Sample
- first morning urine, midstream
- Preparation
- deliver promptly, preferably within 2 h
Paymentcash, cards and instalments
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Urinalysis with a dipstick and sediment examination is a basic urine test. The dipstick shows the chemical composition of urine, such as proteins, sugar, nitrites and white blood cells, while microscopic sediment examination reveals cells, bacteria, crystals and casts. Testing helps detect urinary tract inflammation, kidney disease and certain metabolic disorders, such as diabetes.
Who is this test for
- people with burning or pain during urination, frequent urination and cloudy, foul-smelling urine,
- people with reddish urine or flank pain,
- people with diabetes, high blood pressure or kidney disease, for monitoring,
- pregnant women and people before surgery,
- anyone attending a general or preventive health check.
What the test shows
The analysis has two parts. The dipstick has pads that change colour according to urine composition. Common measurements include:
- pH (acidity) and specific gravity, indicating urine concentration;
- proteins, glucose and ketones;
- nitrites and white blood cells, suggesting infection;
- blood (red blood cells), bilirubin and urobilinogen.
The exact pad list depends on the strip manufacturer. In the second part, urine is centrifuged and the sediment examined microscopically for white and red blood cells, epithelial cells, bacteria, fungi, crystals and casts, which are moulds of kidney tubules.
If urinary symptoms accompany a high temperature, shaking chills or severe flank pain, see a doctor immediately without waiting for results.
Save with a panel
Test Urine: dipstick and sediment is also included in these panels.
Preparation and sample
First morning urine is best because it is most concentrated. Use a clean urine container.
- Wash your hands and genital area with water, without disinfectants.
- Pass the first part of the stream into the toilet.
- Without interrupting the stream, collect the middle portion in the container and close it securely.
Deliver the sample as soon as possible, preferably within 2 hours, because cells break down and bacteria multiply during storage. If urine culture is performed from the same sample, the container must be sterile.
During menstruation it is better to wait until bleeding has ended, because blood alters results. Avoid strenuous physical activity the day before, as it may temporarily increase urinary proteins. When submitting the sample, mention medicines or high doses of vitamin C, which may affect certain dipstick pads.
How urine results are interpreted
Normal dipstick results contain no proteins, glucose, ketones, nitrites, blood or bilirubin, and sediment contains only occasional cells. One abnormal finding is not a diagnosis. The doctor interprets it with your symptoms and requests repeat or additional testing if needed.
| Finding | What it may mean |
|---|---|
| white blood cells and nitrites, bacteria in sediment | possible urinary tract infection; confirmed by urine culture |
| proteins | temporary after strenuous activity or with fever; if persistent, possible kidney disease |
| glucose | most often high blood sugar, for example in diabetes |
| ketones | fasting, prolonged vomiting, a very low-carbohydrate diet or poorly controlled diabetes |
| blood (red blood cells) | menstruation, strenuous activity, stones or inflammation; if persistent, requires further investigation |
| bilirubin | possible liver or bile duct disease |
| crystals and amorphous urates | usually depend on diet, fluid intake and sample cooling |
| casts | hyaline casts may occur in healthy people; other cast types suggest kidney disease |
A larger number of squamous epithelial cells usually means contamination from skin or the genital area, so the doctor may request repeat testing with a correctly collected midstream sample.
How to arrange testing
Testing is available without a referral or appointment: you can submit a urine sample at any of our branches (listed on the page Contactpage). Prices for all tests and panels are listed in the service price list. Urinalysis is also included in the Children’s panel, alongside a complete blood count and CRP.
Frequently asked questions
What do nitrites in urine mean?
Nitrites are produced by bacteria converting dietary nitrates into nitrites in urine. Positive nitrites, particularly alongside white blood cells, suggest urinary tract infection. A negative result does not rule out infection: some bacteria do not produce nitrites, and urine must remain in the bladder for several hours for them to form. The doctor therefore often also requests urine culture for symptoms.
What do proteins in urine mean?
Small amounts of protein may temporarily appear after strenuous activity, with fever or stress. If persistent, the doctor usually requests precise measurement, total urinary proteins or microalbumin. Dipsticks do not detect small amounts of albumin, so microalbumin is measured for early kidney damage in diabetes and high blood pressure.
What are amorphous urates in urine?
These are tiny uric acid salt particles precipitating in acidic, concentrated urine, particularly when the sample cools. They usually have no particular significance. If you have gout or a kidney stone, the doctor may also request uric acid in blood.
Is urinalysis the same as urine culture?
No. Urinalysis shows signs of inflammation, such as white blood cells, nitrites and bacteria, while urine culture confirms infection, identifies the bacterium and tests antibiotic susceptibility. For urinary symptoms, the doctor often requests both tests from the same sample.