What It Measures#
A Urine Routine and Microscopy (Urine R/M) test is a basic, non-invasive screening test that examines the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of your urine. It includes:
Physical examination: Colour, appearance (clear or turbid), specific gravity.
Chemical analysis (dipstick):
- pH, acidity or alkalinity of urine.
- Protein, normally absent; presence suggests kidney damage.
- Glucose, normally absent; present in uncontrolled diabetes.
- Ketones, elevated in diabetic ketoacidosis, prolonged fasting, or low-carb diets.
- Blood (occult), indicates infection, stones, or glomerular disease.
- Bilirubin & Urobilinogen, liver or bile-duct issues.
- Nitrites & Leukocyte Esterase, suggestive of bacterial urinary tract infection (UTI).
Microscopy: Examines the urine sediment for pus cells (WBCs), RBCs, epithelial cells, casts, crystals, and bacteria.
Who Should Get Tested#
- Anyone with urinary symptoms: burning, frequency, urgency, foul smell, or blood in urine.
- Patients with suspected UTI: especially women, who are more prone.
- Diabetics, to screen for proteinuria (early kidney damage) and glycosuria.
- Pregnant women: routine at every antenatal visit to check for pre-eclampsia.
- People with kidney stones, to identify crystal types.
- As part of a routine health check-up.
How to Prepare#
- Collect a mid-stream, clean-catch urine sample in a sterile container.
- First-morning sample is preferred for the most concentrated results.
- Clean the genital area before collection to avoid contamination.
- Deliver the sample to the lab within 1–2 hours of collection (or refrigerate).
Understanding Your Results#
| Parameter | Normal | Abnormal Suggests | |-----------|--------|-------------------| | Colour | Pale to dark yellow | Red/brown = blood; dark yellow = dehydration | | pH | 4.5–8.0 | Persistent alkaline = UTI, renal tubular acidosis | | Protein | Nil or trace | Kidney disease, pre-eclampsia | | Glucose | Nil | Uncontrolled diabetes | | Pus Cells | 0–5 /HPF | > 5 = UTI or inflammation | | RBCs | 0–2 /HPF | Stones, infection, glomerulonephritis | | Casts | Nil | Renal tubular damage, nephrotic syndrome | | Crystals | Nil or few | Calcium oxalate, uric acid (stone risk) |
A urine R/M showing pus cells > 5/HPF with nitrites is highly suggestive of a bacterial UTI and usually requires a urine culture and sensitivity test for antibiotic selection.
Related Tests#
- Kidney Function Test, blood-based assessment of kidney filtration.
- Blood Sugar Fasting, if glucose is found in urine.
- CBC, if infection or inflammation is suspected.
Booking & Home Collection#
Book a urine routine test on PingMeDoc. Home collection kits with sterile containers are provided. Results are typically available within 6–12 hours.