Urinalysis in Lincoln, NE

At the Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln, we take pride in delivering top-notch care through our state-of-the-art on-site labs. We provide a full scope of laboratory tests all in one place, including urgent care urinalysis. Read on to learn more about what it is, what it’s used for, and how to prepare for your urine test. 

What Is Urinalysis? A Quick Overview 

Urinalysis is a simple test that examines your urine’s content. This standard medical test can reveal a lot about your health. By assessing your urine’s physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics, healthcare professionals can gain insights into how well your body is performing. 

This process involves collecting a small sample of your urine in a sterile container, which is then sent to a laboratory for analysis. In the lab, the sample goes through a series of checks to identify any abnormalities or signs of illness. 

What Is a Urine Test Used For? 

Doctors order a urinalysis for various reasons, such as for a routine medical exam, to diagnose a disease or condition, to monitor a known illness, or to check for pregnancy. 

Urine tests can detect various conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and other metabolic conditions. It can also screen for drug use and assess the overall composition of urine. An urgent care urinalysis provides valuable information about your overall health, not limited to just the urinary system. 

How Do I Prepare for a Urinalysis? 

Preparing for a urine test is straightforward and doesn’t usually require any special measures. However, there are a few things to remember before your appointment at the Urgent Care Clinic of Lincoln. 

Staying hydrated is essential, but avoid overconsuming liquids just before the test, as it might dilute your urine and affect the results. Also, some medications, vitamins, and supplements could alter your urinalysis results, so tell your doctor about anything you’re taking. Lastly, follow specific instructions regarding fasting or avoiding certain foods. 

What To Expect During the Test 

When you arrive, you’ll be given a clean container for the urine sample. You may be asked to take the sample at the clinic or bring it home to collect your urine when you wake up. 

Before collecting the same, you’ll be asked to use an antiseptic wipe to clean around your urinary opening. You’ll also be instructed to provide a “mid-stream” urine sample. This means you should let a small amount of urine fall into the toilet before collecting the sample. Following these instructions helps keep contaminants from entering the sample and ensure it’s clean and usable. 

After collecting the sample, seal the container and return it to the staff. The procedure is quick; you’ll be on your way in no time, and results will follow once the analysis is completed. 

What To Expect in Your Urine Test Results

Urinalysis results are typically divided into three main categories:  

Color and Appearance 

Healthy urine typically has a pale yellow due to urochrome or urobilin, a byproduct filtered out from your bloodstream by the kidneys. If your urine is a different color, it could be due to certain foods, medications, or health issues. For example, very clear urine could show you drink a lot of water, while dark yellow urine may mean you’re dehydrated. Meanwhile, cloudiness could hint at an infection. 

Note that certain foods like asparagus can also change the smell and color of your urine, which isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. 

Chemical Findings 

Gathering this information from your urgent care urinalysis often involves dipstick testing, where a test strip is dipped into the urine sample. This strip has different areas that will change color to show the levels of various substances, including: 

• pH Level: As this indicates the acidity in your urine, a high pH could indicate a urinary tract or kidney issue. 
• Protein: There should be little to no protein in your urine. Significantly elevated levels could signal kidney problems. 
• Sugar: The presence of glucose in urine often points to diabetes and usually necessitates a follow-up test for it. 
• Leukocytes: These are white blood cells that help fight off infections, so high levels may indicate urinary tract infection or kidney stones.
• Blood: Blood in the urine sample can signal various conditions, ranging from minor infections to kidney stones or more serious issues. 

Microscopic Findings 

Microscopic exams, which involve looking at drops of concentrated urine under a microscope, may be performed as part of an urgent care urine test. They examine three main factors: 

• Crystals: Elevated levels of crystals in your urine can be a sign of kidney stones. 
• Casts: These are tube-shaped proteins that might appear due to kidney disorders. 
• Bacteria and Yeasts: The presence of these microorganisms suggests an infection, like a urinary tract infection (UTI).  

Keep in mind that your urgent care urine test is a screening tool, not a diagnosis. If your results show any abnormalities, your healthcare provider will likely order further results to get a complete picture of your health. 

Urgent Care Clinic Of Lincoln
4210 Pioneer Woods Dr a
Lincoln, NE 68506
(402) 488-4321
Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/ii2vxgvtJdR2