Urinalysis Complete

This test examines a urethral sample using a wet-mount preparation with KOH (potassium hydroxide) to detect yeast cells, most commonly Candida. Yeast in the urethra can cause urinary tract infections with symptoms like burning, itching, or unusual discharge. While Candida is normally present on skin and mucous membranes, overgrowth can occur due to antibiotics, weakened immunity, or other factors. A positive result confirms a yeast infection requiring treatment.

This test measures glucose concentration in peritoneal dialysate fluid, the solution used during peritoneal dialysis for kidney failure. Glucose naturally diffuses from the dialysate into the bloodstream during treatment, and measuring residual glucose helps assess dialysate dwell time and treatment effectiveness. Changes in dialysate glucose levels can indicate peritoneal membrane changes or absorption problems affecting dialysis adequacy and treatment outcomes.

Protein in pericardial fluid (fluid surrounding the heart) reflects inflammation, infection, or leakage from blood vessels. This test helps diagnose conditions like pericarditis (heart inflammation), infection, or malignancy affecting the pericardium. Elevated protein in pericardial fluid typically indicates an exudative process requiring further investigation. Results guide diagnosis and determine if drainage or specific treatment like antibiotics is needed.

Blood culture testing identifies bacteria present in the bloodstream (bacteremia), which is a medical emergency that can lead to sepsis. This test is critical for diagnosing systemic infections and guiding appropriate antibiotic therapy. Positive blood cultures identify the specific organism causing the infection and allow for antibiotic sensitivity testing. Common pathogens detected include Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, and Escherichia coli. Multiple blood culture sets are typically drawn to increase diagnostic sensitivity and distinguish true infections from contaminants.

Bilirubin is a yellowish compound produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells. When measured in pericardial fluid (fluid around the heart), elevated bilirubin can indicate liver disease, hemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells), or bile duct obstruction. It can also reflect pericardial inflammation or infection. This specialized test helps diagnose serious cardiac and metabolic conditions affecting the tissue surrounding your heart.

Ketones are compounds produced when your body breaks down fat for energy, typically during fasting, intense exercise, or low-carbohydrate diets. A urine ketone test detects these compounds in your urine. Elevated ketones may indicate ketosis (a normal metabolic state during certain diets), diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition in diabetes), starvation, or metabolic disorders. Trace amounts are usually not concerning, but significant elevation warrants medical evaluation.

White blood cells (WBCs or leukocytes) are immune cells that fight infections and protect your body. This test measures WBC count in synovial fluid (fluid surrounding joints). Elevated WBC in joint fluid suggests infection, inflammation, or autoimmune disease affecting that joint. Very high counts may indicate septic arthritis (bacterial infection), while moderate elevation could indicate rheumatoid arthritis or other inflammatory joint conditions. This specialized test helps diagnose the cause of joint pain or swelling.

pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of pericardial fluid (fluid surrounding the heart). Normal pericardial fluid is slightly alkaline. Abnormal pH levels may indicate infection, inflammation, or metabolic disturbances affecting the heart. Low pH (acidic) may suggest bacterial infection or ischemia, while high pH may indicate fungal infection or other conditions. This test is part of comprehensive pericardial fluid analysis to diagnose serious cardiac conditions.

Automated counters measure the number concentration directly and calculate values for the per HPF (or per LPF) when the laboratory chooses them. These analyzers generate the # per HPF or per LPF (as the particle requires) assuming a spun urine based on relationships between the volume of spun and unspun urine.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) are the oxygen-carrying cells in your blood. This automated test counts the number of red blood cells in synovial fluid (joint fluid), which is abnormal since red blood cells should not be present in joints. Elevated RBC counts in joint fluid may indicate joint injury, bleeding into the joint, or traumatic arthrocentesis (needle puncture during fluid collection). This result helps differentiate between inflammatory and non-inflammatory joint conditions.

This test detects hidden (occult) blood in gastric fluid or stomach contents, invisible to the naked eye. It's used to identify gastrointestinal bleeding that isn't obvious, such as from ulcers, gastritis, or malignancy. A positive result warrants further investigation with endoscopy or imaging. The test is sometimes ordered in patients with unexplained anemia, abdominal pain, or when gastrointestinal bleeding is suspected but not visually apparent.

Urate crystals are deposits of uric acid that form in joints and tissues, causing gout—a painful inflammatory condition. This test analyzes kidney stones or joint fluid to identify whether urate crystals are present using infrared spectroscopy. Finding urate crystals confirms gout or kidney stone composition and helps guide treatment. Urate crystal formation occurs when uric acid levels become elevated, often due to diet, genetics, or certain medications.

These are created to ease the mapping of local codes for automated urinalysis machines to LOINC codes. The batteries include a set of tests reported one way- e.g. as concentrations of observed particles or cells, as number of particles or cell per microscopic field (we presume the units will say whether they are per HPF or per LPF- though crystals and cells are usually reported per HPF and casts per LPF), and one as categorical response, e.g. pos/neg or none, few many, loaded. Laboratories pick and choose how to report information that comes out of their automated instrument (which can provide numeric concentrations). So it is unlikely that any real UA panel will be of only one kind (e.g. NCNC, Naric , or Ord).

This term represents the stool reducing substance assay after the addition of HCl, which hydrolysis sugars that are not typically reducing, such as sucrose, and converts them into a reducing form. Typical reducing substance assays [LOINC: 11060-1] detect reducing substances in stool without (or before) the addition of HCl, and therefore do not detect non-reducing sugars such as sucrose.

Nitrite is a form of nitrogen compound found in your body and environment. Blood nitrite levels reflect metabolic processes and can indicate nitric oxide metabolism status, which is important for blood vessel function and blood pressure regulation. Nitrite testing may be useful in assessing cardiovascular health and endothelial dysfunction. Elevated nitrite can result from high dietary intake of preserved meats and processed foods, while low levels may indicate poor vascular function or disease. This marker is emerging in research on cardiovascular and metabolic health.

Phenol is a toxic chemical used in manufacturing, disinfectants, and some medications. This urine test measures phenol exposure, adjusted for urine concentration to ensure accuracy. Elevated phenol indicates occupational or environmental exposure. This test is primarily used in occupational health monitoring for workers in chemical manufacturing or medical facilities.

Leukocyte esterase is an enzyme produced by white blood cells (WBCs). The presence of leukocyte esterase activity in urine indicates that WBCs are present in the urinary tract, suggesting infection, inflammation, or other urinary tract pathology. This is commonly detected on urinalysis and is often the first sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Elevated levels warrant culture testing to identify the causative organism and determine appropriate antibiotic treatment. A positive result can also indicate kidney stones, interstitial cystitis, or other urological conditions.

Urinary casts are cylindrical structures formed from kidney tubule proteins and are visible under microscope examination. A small number may appear normally, but elevated casts suggest kidney stress or disease. They can indicate dehydration, infection, diabetes, hypertension, or glomerulonephritis. Monitoring casts over time helps assess kidney health and the progression of kidney disease. Findings often prompt further kidney function testing.

This test quantifies calcium oxalate crystals in urine, which form when calcium and oxalate concentrations are high. Elevated levels increase kidney stone risk, particularly in people with genetic predisposition, high dietary oxalate, dehydration, or certain metabolic disorders. A positive result warrants dietary modifications (reducing oxalate, increasing hydration) and further evaluation for underlying causes like hyperoxaluria or hypercalcemia.

Transitional cells are specialized cells that line the bladder and urothelial tract. Finding them in urine can indicate irritation, inflammation, or potential injury to the bladder or urinary tract. Their presence may suggest urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, trauma, or other urological conditions. While small numbers may not be concerning, higher quantities warrant further investigation. This test is qualitative, meaning it indicates their presence rather than exact counts, and requires clinical interpretation alongside other urinary findings and symptoms.

Specific gravity measures the concentration of dissolved substances in urine relative to water. This quality control test ensures your urine sample is adequately concentrated for accurate testing. If urine is too dilute (low specific gravity), test results may be unreliable because substances are overly diluted. This quality check confirms that your urine sample is suitable for valid laboratory analysis and interpretation.

CD19 is a marker found on B lymphocytes, white blood cells that produce antibodies and fight infections. A CD19 cell count measures the number of B cells in your blood or bone marrow. Abnormally low CD19 counts may indicate immunodeficiency, leukemia, or complications from certain medications or treatments. Elevated counts can suggest chronic lymphocytic leukemia or other lymphoproliferative disorders. This test is particularly useful in diagnosing blood cancers and immune disorders.

Amorphous sediment refers to fine, shapeless particles that appear in urine under microscopic examination. These crystals—which can be composed of various salts and minerals—may be present in normal urine but excessive amounts can indicate dehydration, mineral imbalances, or kidney stress. While small amounts are usually benign, larger amounts warrant investigation to rule out underlying kidney or metabolic disorders.