Urinalysis (Urine Dipstick & Microscopy)
Also known as: Urine dipstick, UA, Midstream urine, Urine microscopy culture sensitivity (MCS)
Urinalysis is one of medicine's oldest tests and remains one of the most informative — a simple dipstick and microscopy can simultaneously screen for kidney disease, urinary infection, diabetes, and liver disease.
Midstream clean-catch urine (first morning specimen preferred)
1–4 hours
Not required
Kidney Function
Reference Ranges
| Measurement | Reference Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.5 – 8 | — |
| Specific gravity | 1.005 – 1.03 | — |
| Protein | ≤ 0 | trace allowed |
| Glucose | ≤ 0 | — |
| Leukocyte esterase | ≤ 0 | — |
| Nitrites | ≤ 0 | — |
| WBCs (microscopy) | ≤ 5 | per HPF |
| RBCs (microscopy) | ≤ 3 | per HPF |
Reference ranges are typical adult values. Your laboratory may use slightly different intervals — always use your lab's reported reference.
What This Test Measures
The dipstick uses chemical reagent pads that react with urine components: glucose, protein, ketones, blood (haemoglobin/myoglobin), leukocyte esterase, nitrites, bilirubin, urobilinogen, and pH. Microscopy examines the urine sediment under a microscope for cells (RBCs, WBCs, epithelial), casts (cylindrical structures formed in kidney tubules), and crystals.
When Is This Test Ordered?
- Urinary tract infection symptoms (dysuria, frequency, haematuria)
- Kidney disease screening and monitoring
- Diabetes monitoring (glycosuria as a clue to hyperglycaemia)
- Systemic disease workup (protein in lupus nephritis, casts in glomerulonephritis)
- Routine health screening
When Results Are High
Positive leukocyte esterase and nitrites with symptoms confirm UTI and warrant culture. Protein above trace requires quantification (spot ACR or 24-hour urine) — persistent proteinuria is a marker of kidney disease and cardiovascular risk. Glucose in urine appears when blood glucose exceeds the renal threshold (about 180 mg/dL) — a flag for diabetes. Haematuria (blood) requires investigation for kidney stones, infection, or bladder cancer.
When Results Are Low
A completely normal urinalysis effectively excludes most structural urinary tract pathology.
Factors That Can Affect Your Result
- Contamination from genital secretions (especially in women) gives false positive WBCs
- Concentrated first morning urine is more sensitive for protein but may trigger a false positive protein dipstick
- Vitamin C (above 100 mg) in urine inhibits the glucose and blood reactions, causing false negatives
- Pyridium (phenazopyridine) turns urine orange and makes dipstick interpretation impossible
- Sample must be processed within 2 hours to prevent cell lysis and bacterial multiplication
Tracking This Test Over Time
A spot urine albumin:creatinine ratio (ACR) is far more sensitive than the dipstick protein pad for early diabetic nephropathy. If you have diabetes or hypertension, request ACR rather than relying on dipstick protein — which misses 30–50% of clinically significant proteinuria.
Track your Urinalysis in LoomsRelated Tests
Creatinine / eGFR
Creatinine is a waste product filtered by the kidneys; eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) converts it into a percentage of normal kidney function. Together they are the primary tools for detecting and staging chronic kidney disease.
HbA1c
HbA1c reflects your average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months by measuring how much glucose has permanently attached to haemoglobin. It is the gold-standard test for diagnosing and managing diabetes.
Medical disclaimer
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reference ranges vary between laboratories, and results must be interpreted in the context of your symptoms, history, and other tests. Always discuss your results with your healthcare provider. Content reviewed by the Looms medical team, 2026-06-01.