Micturition, or the act of urinating, is a fundamental body function as it helps get rid of wastes. Urinating also helps regulate the balance of water in our body. There's a lot of things that testing our urine can do, so a urine test is a common laboratory test that your doctor would likely request to check your overall health, as well as to detect certain conditions. Here are some things that you should know about urine tests:
What can urine tests show?
Urine is a core laboratory test for testing our overall health. Our urine will be able to detect if we have problems in our kidney, liver, or even if we have diabetes. Urine tests can also diagnose urinary tract infections.Urine tests can also show the level of certain substances in our body including sugar, proteins, ketones, blood cells, and even bacteria. Pregnancy tests also involve a woman's urine.What are the common types of urine tests?
There are many ways that urine can be collected and tested. Some of the most common urine tests are the following:Rapid Urine Test
A rapid urine test is a quick and easy way to test urine. A rapid urine test involves a test strip being dipped in a urine sample. After a while, the test strip would change in color depending on the amount of certain substances. You will then be able to compare the color of the strip to a color chart that shows whether you have normal or abnormal level of such substances. A rapid urine test will involves the acidity of your urine, the presence of protein, sugar, ketones, nitrite, ketones, blood cells, and other substances such as bilirubin, and urobilinogen. If your rapid urine test yields abnormal results, you will need to consult a doctor to do further tests.Urinalysis
Urinalysis is a basic laboratory test the checks out the main features of our urine. Urinalysis involves the assessment of the physical, microscopic, and chemical characteristics of our urine. It involves questions such as whether the our urine is clear or cloudy; whether it is pale, yellow, or another color; whether there are crystals, cells, casts, mucus, or other substances in the urine; and whether there are bacteria present. Aside from diagnosing our overall health, a urinalysis can detect dehydration, kidney problems, diabetes, and urinary tract infection.Urine Culture
Urine culture involves testing our urine for the presence of germs. A midstream sample of our urine is taken and is culture to show the presence and growth of bacteria or fungi.24-hour urine collection
A 24-hour urine collection is done by collecting every single drop of urine after the 1st urination of the day. This test aim to determine more accurately the level of substances in the urine such as protein and creatinine. The level of these substances can tell a lot about the health of our kidney. The level of protein in the urine can also tell other problems such as diabetes, heart failure, kidney diseases and cancer, inflammation of the renal pelvis, and urinary tract infection.The level of hormones and metabolic products in the urine can also tell a lot about our endocrine system.How do you prepare for a urine test?
Drinking or eating is allowed prior a urinalysis. However, some urine tests require fasting. Depending on the test you're having, your healthcare provide will definitely provide the preparations you need to take. Your doctor would also tell you which medicines, vitamins, and supplements you should not take before a urine test.Urine tests are important laboratory tests that can tell a lot about our health. It is therefore essential that we understand what urine tests can do, and how these can be done. Of course, urine tests are not the only kinds of test we need so the best way to be truly on top of our health is to regularly visit the doctor for consultation so that any possible medical concern can be detected and addressed as early as possible. Categorized into General Health
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