Complete Urine Examination (Urine R/M) Test

The urinalysis is used as a diagnostic tool to identify different metabolic and kidney disorders. It is used to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other disorders of the urinary tract. Patients with acute or chronic conditions, such as kidney disease, the urinalysis may be instructed at intervals as a rapid method to help record organ function, status, and response to treatment. Abnormal findings in urinalysis are a warning that something may be wrong and should be evaluated further. Generally, the greater the concentration of the atypical substance (glucose, protein, RBC etc.), the more likely it is that there is a problem that needs to be addressed. A normal urinalysis does not guarantee that there is no illness as the amount of substance may vary in different urine samples.

Patient should avoid strenuous physical activity before collection of urine as these activities may cause small amounts of blood to appear in the urine. If your urine is being tested only for a urinalysis, the person can eat and drink normally before the test. Take advice from your doctor. Certain medications can influence the level of protein in your urine, so doctor may ask you to stop taking it or to limit the dose before the test.

Get yourself well hydrated before the test .This makes giving the urine samples easier and prevents dehydration. Women during menstruation should wear a fresh tampon/sanitary napkin before the test in order to minimize contamination of the sample.

Urine R/M helps diagnose conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disorders, liver problems, diabetes or other metabolic conditions. People who are diagnosed with acute or chronic conditions, such as kidney disease or diabetes, the urinalysis may be used in conjunction with other tests, such as urine albumin, to follow treatment. Help in detecting proteinuria, glycosuria, hemoglobinuria, hematuria etc.

Many urinary constituents get altered easily so the samples should be tested within an hour of collection or refrigeration. Samples may be stored at optimum temperature of 36–46°F (2–8°C) for up to 24 hours for chemical urinalysis test. If possible the microscopic examination should be performed within 3-4 hours of collection.

The use of preservatives should be avoided whenever possible in urine tests may affect biochemical test results.