Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)
Understanding Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)
What is Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)?
A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test examines the urine's appearance, concentration, and content. It is done if the doctor suspects kidney disorders, diabetes, etc. This test is also done as a part of routine medical examination, pregnancy checkup, or preparation before surgery.
Urine is the body’s liquid waste made when the kidneys filter out toxins from the blood. It comprises water, salt, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and some chemicals. Any changes in the color, odor, or urine constituents may indicate certain health conditions.
A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) examines the urine’s color, appearance, pH & specific gravity and checks for the presence of blood cells, crystals, bacteria, parasites, and some other constituents. Your doctor may advise this test if you show symptoms such as abdominal pain, back pain, painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine, or other urinary problems. A Urine R/M test is also used to detect, manage, and monitor the progress of ongoing treatment of different conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostate infections, urinary tract injuries, and metabolic disorders like diabetes, kidney stones or diseases, and liver disease.
Before your test, make sure you’ve drunk enough water to be able to submit a urine sample for testing. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications and supplements before the test as they may affect the results. A mid-stream urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed, as that can interfere with certain test results.
Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.
What is Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) used for?
A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test is done:
- As a part of routine medical checkups or pregnancy checkups.
- If you have symptoms such as stomach pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination, blood in your urine, or other urinary problems.
- To detect urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease.
- To monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment.
- As a preparatory checkup before surgery.
What does Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) measure?
Contains 12 testsA Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test involves gross, chemical, and microscopic evaluation of the urine sample.
-
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.
-
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, nitrites, and urobilinogen.
-
Microscopic examination: This involves the analysis of the urine sample under the microscope for casts, crystals, cells, bacteria, and yeast.
Urobilinogen
Ketone
Nitrite
Colour
Appearance
Specific Gravity
Epithelial Cell
Casts
Crystals
Protein Urine
Ph for Urine
Urine Glucose
Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)
Frequently Asked Questions about Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)
Q. Is fasting required for a Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test?
Q. What is the difference between urine routine and urine culture?
Q. Is there any special preparation needed before a urine routine test?
Q. What can affect the results of a urine routine test?
Q. What are the risks involved?
Other tests
