A urine routine test (urinalysis) examines a urine sample for its appearance, chemistry and cells. It checks for protein, sugar, blood, pus cells and bacteria, and helps detect urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney problems and diabetes. In a normal report, protein, sugar and ketones are absent and pus cells are 0–5 per high-power field.
What does the urine routine test measure?
Urine is filtered from your blood by the kidneys, so its contents give a quick, painless look at both the urinary tract and wider body chemistry. A full report has three parts:
- Physical examination: Colour, clarity and specific gravity (how concentrated the urine is). Dark, concentrated urine often just means you are dehydrated.
- Chemical examination (dipstick): Checks pH, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, blood, nitrite and leukocyte esterase. Glucose can hint at uncontrolled diabetes; nitrite and leukocyte esterase point towards infection.
- Microscopic examination: Counts pus cells (white blood cells), red blood cells and epithelial cells, and looks for casts, crystals, yeast and bacteria.
Urinary tract infections are especially common in women, and burning while urinating, frequent urges or lower abdominal discomfort are the usual reasons for this test. It is also a standard part of annual checkups because early kidney problems and diabetes can show up here before symptoms do.
Urine routine normal values
Reporting formats differ between labs. Ranges vary between labs and methods. Always compare your result with the reference range printed on your own report.
What abnormal results can mean
- Raised pus cells, positive nitrite or leukocyte esterase: Can suggest a urinary tract infection. A urine culture may be ordered to identify the bacteria.
- Protein: Can suggest kidney stress, especially with diabetes or high blood pressure. Fever or heavy exercise can cause temporary protein.
- Glucose: Can suggest high blood sugar.
- Ketones: Seen with fasting, low-carb diets, or uncontrolled diabetes.
- Red blood cells: Can suggest stones, infection or other urinary tract conditions; menstruation can contaminate samples.
- Many epithelial cells: Often means the sample was not collected cleanly; a repeat may be needed.
Who should get this test?
- Anyone with urinary symptoms: burning, frequent or urgent urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or blood in urine.
- People with diabetes or high blood pressure, as part of yearly kidney checks.
- Pregnant women, at routine antenatal visits.
- Everyone, as part of an annual health checkup.
- How to give a good sample: Use the first urine of the morning if possible. Wash the genital area, pass the first few drops into the toilet, then collect the midstream portion in the sterile container. Women should avoid testing during periods.
This page is for general information and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always interpret your results with a qualified doctor.