Urinalysis

Alternative Names: Urine analysis, Urine dipstix, Urine microscopy, culture, and sensitivity

Urinalysis, or urine dipstix, is the examination of urine and its contents to detect urinary tract infections and blood in the urine. It is often performed as part of a routine general examination to screen for kidney disease and diabetes. The doctor dips a stick of test pads into your urine sample and determines the results based on the colour changes of the pads.

What is it?
Urinalysis refers to the examination of the urine and its contents. It involves simple “dipstix” testing in your doctor’s rooms as well as perhaps sending a specimen to a laboratory for further, more detailed, testing.

Why is it done?
Urinalysis is often performed as part of a routine general examination, where it acts as a screening test for kidney disease, diabetes. It is also able to detect urinary tract infections and blood in the urine. It is a very useful, non-invasive test that yields a lot of useful information.

What happens?

Before – how to prepare
No special preparation is necessary.

During – how the test is done
You will be asked to provide a “clean-catch, mid-stream” urine specimen. This involves cleaning the genital area carefully and then passing urine. The first part of the urine flow is discarded and you “catch” some “mid-stream” urine in a small container.

Your doctor will dip a stick of test pads (small squares that change colour based on the urine contents etc.) into the urine and read the results visually. Urine may be sent away for further testing.

After the test
The initial results will be available immediately but more detailed laboratory results may take a day or two.

Risks and Compilations
There are no risks associated with this procedure.

Short Description
Urinalysis, or urine dipstix, is the examination of urine and its contents to detect urinary tract infections and blood in the urine.

Keywords
urine analysis, urine dipstix, urine microscopy, urine culture, urine sensitivity, urine