Urinalysis
Also written: Urine dipstick / MSU
What it measures
Components in urine, tested by dipstick or examined under a microscope.
Why it is ordered
Quick, inexpensive and often the first step in many urinary or kidney situations.
How to prepare
Ask how to collect the sample correctly — collecting it wrongly means repeating. A midstream sample is usual.
What to ask
- How exactly should I collect the sample
- Is a culture also needed
- When will the result be ready
This page does not include reference ranges and does not say whether your number is high or low. Reference ranges differ between laboratories and between people — read yours on your own report, with your clinician.