PRM - MER, RUA, FBS

The Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test involves gross, chemical, and microscopic evaluation of the urine sample.

1. Gross examination: It involves visually inspecting the urine sample for color and appearance. Typically, the urine color ranges from colorless or pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the urine’s concentration. Things such as medications, supplements, and some foods such as beetroot can affect the color of your urine. However, unusual urine color can also be a sign of disease.

   In appearance, the urine sample may be clear or cloudy. A clear appearance is indicative of healthy urine. However, the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, etc., may result in cloudy urine, indicating conditions such as dehydration, UTIs, kidney stones, etc. Some other factors, such as sperm and skin cells, may also result in a cloudy appearance but are harmless.

2. Chemical examination: It examines the chemical nature of the urine sample using special test strips called dipsticks. These test strips are dipped into the urine sample and change color when they come in contact with specific substances. The degree of color change estimates the amount of the substance present. Some common things detected include protein, urine pH, ketones, glucose, specific gravity, blood, bilirubin, nitrites, and urobilinogen.

3. Microscopic examination: This involves the analysis of the urine sample under the microscope for pus cells, red blood cells, casts, crystals, bacteria, yeast and other constituents.

This further contains

• Urobilinogen
• Ketone
• Nitrite
• Colour
• Appearance
• Specific Gravity
• Pus Cell
• Epithelial Cell
• Casts
• Crystals
• Protein Urine
• Ph for Urine
• Urine Glucose
• Yeast
• Red Blood Cells
• Leucocyte Esterase
• Blood
• Bilirubin
• Bacteria

The FBS (Fasting Blood Sugar) test measures the glucose level in the body under overnight fasting conditions. Glucose is the body's energy currency and is broken down through metabolism to produce energy. Hormones and enzymes produced by the liver and pancreas control this process. The hormone insulin, produced by the pancreas, regulates blood glucose levels. When these levels are high, such as after a meal, insulin is secreted to transport glucose into cells for energy production. Elevated glucose levels in the body after fasting may indicate a risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes, which can be of two types: Type 1, caused by little or no insulin production, and Type 2, caused by insulin resistance or decreased insulin production.

The blood pressure test measures the force of blood against the walls of the arteries as the heart pumps it throughout the body.

The results are expressed in millimeters of mercury (mmHg) and presented as a ratio, with systolic pressure listed first followed by diastolic pressure.  A normal blood pressure reading is generally around 120/80 mmHg. Readings higher or lower than this can signal potential health issues. Elevated systolic or diastolic readings might indicate conditions such as hypertension, which can lead to more serious health problems like heart disease or stroke if not managed properly. Conversely, abnormally low readings might suggest issues like poor heart function or dehydration. By assessing these pressures, the test helps evaluate heart health, diagnose potential cardiovascular issues, and guide appropriate treatment or lifestyle adjustments.

The BMI test measures body fat using a formula based on weight and height. Specifically, it calculates the ratio of an individual's weight in kilograms to the square of their height in meters (or weight in pounds to the square of height in inches, with a conversion factor). The resulting value is categorized into ranges that indicate whether an individual is underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese.

The categories are as follows: underweight (BMI less than 18.5), normal weight (BMI between 18.5 and 24.9), overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9), and obesity (BMI 30 or greater). Each category provides a general indication of body weight status and associated health risks. While BMI offers a convenient measure of body weight relative to height, it is best used in conjunction with other health assessments, such as body fat percentage, diet, and physical activity levels, to gain a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s health.