UTI Test - Women's | Diagnosis & Treatment

What

Checks for various substances in your urine to look for evidence of a urinary tract infection.

Who

Must be 18+ years of age to purchase.

How

Urine

Where

Find a location near you

Schedule an appointment, then visit a Quest Diagnostics patient service center location.

About the Test

This urinalysis (urine test) identifies abnormalities in the urine's appearance, content, and concentration. The urinalysis includes 3 components: a visual examination, a microscopic examination, and a dipstick test. This test provides assessments of the physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of your urine sample to help identify signs of an infection.

About UTI testing
A urinalysis is not required to make a diagnosis, but it can help. An abnormal urinalysis by itself does not necessarily mean you have a UTI and need treatment. It is possible to have a negative urinalysis and still have a UTI.

This test may be right for you if:

You have recent symptoms of a UTI (within the last 7-10 days)

This test may not be right for you if:

You have no symptoms
You are pregnant or nursing

This urinalysis includes the assessment of:

The color and appearance of a normal urine sample should be clear and straw yellow. The presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, crystals, or bacteria may result in discoloration. Cloudy or milky urine suggests a urinary tract infection, which may also have an unpleasant odor.

This test compares the density of urine to the density of water. Specific gravity measures the concentration of particles in the urine and hydration status. Elevated levels of glucose, proteins, and red or white blood cells in the urine may indicate a high specific gravity.

The kidneys play an essential role in helping the body maintain homeostasis, the process by which living things maintain relatively stable conditions. They do so by tightly regulating and balancing pH (acid/base), the ratio of acids to bases in the body. While urine has the highest range of pH of all bodily fluids, bacteria in the urine can cause pH levels to rise.

Glucose is a form of sugar that serves as the body's primary source of energy and travels from the bloodstream to the cells. If the bloodstream gets too much glucose, the excess is expelled through the urine. Glycosuria or glucosuria refers to the presence of glucose in the urine and may be a sign of diabetes or chronic kidney disease. Infections can make it more difficult for people with diabetes to control their blood sugars.

Bilirubin is a waste product produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. It is a yellowish substance found in bile, a fluid produced and released by the liver. Bilirubin passes through the liver and is eventually excreted out of the body. High levels of bilirubin may be a sign of the liver not functioning correctly.

Your body uses glucose for energy, and if your cells do not receive enough glucose, your body will burn fat instead. This process results in the formation of ketones. Elevated ketone levels in the urine may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes. Infections can increase the risk of ketoacidosis in patients with diabetes. Ketones may also be detected in the urine of those following a ketogenic diet.

During menstruation, a small quantity of menstrual blood may get into your urine sample, but normal urine does not contain red blood cells. Blood in the urine (hematuria) may produce pink, red, or cola-colored urine due to the presence of red blood cells. Hidden (occult) blood is invisible without the help of a microscope. Additional tests may be necessary to find the cause and rule out a serious health condition.

Proteins are critical for the body's structure, function, and regulation. While protein is normally present in the blood, it is usually not present in the urine. Protein can leak into the urine if there is an issue with the kidneys. An abnormally high level (proteinuria) may suggest kidney disease.

Nitrates and nitrites are both nitrogen compounds. When bacteria enter the urinary tract, they can convert nitrates to nitrites. Nitrates are found in regular urine; however, nitrites in urine may indicate a urinary tract infection.

Leukocytes are white blood cells that help the body in fighting infection. When you have a higher concentration in your urine than usual, this may indicate a urinary tract infection.

These are the infection-fighting cells: the presence of white blood cells in the urine indicates a bacterial infection in the urinary tract or kidneys.

The presence of red blood cells may indicate the presence of a health condition, such as kidney or liver disease, a urinary tract infection, or another urinary disorder.

The urinary tract is lined by three types of epithelial cells: transitional cells, renal tubular cells, and squamous cells. At any stage during urination, epithelial cells might enter the urine. An increased amount may indicate an infection, kidney disease, or another related health condition.

Bacteria are not normally present in the urine so the presence of bacteria is a good indication of an infection. The most common bacteria found in the urinary tract are Escherichia coli (E coli), Enterococcus faecalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, and Staphylococcus saprophyticus (staph). This test can help healthcare professionals diagnose a urinary tract infection by identifying the presence or absence of bacteria that may cause infection.

Yeast (candida) is a fungus that lives nearly everywhere, including in and on the body. Yeasts may be present in urine due to contamination, bladder colonization, or an upper urinary tract infection from the bladder or another source.

Crystals found in the urinary sediment during microscopic examination indicate kidney stone formation is imminent, if not already present. Crystals do not produce symptoms on their own, only when they crystallize into stones. The crystal type detected varies with the associated health condition and the pH of the urine. When the specific gravity of the urine is high, small amounts of crystalline particles may be visible.

Casts are clumps of materials or cells that form in the renal distal and collecting tubules. Casts are typically composed of white blood cells, red blood cells, kidney cells, and compounds such as protein or fat. Their significance is determined by how they were formed, and it varies depending on the associated health condition. When the specific gravity of the urine is high, small amounts of casts may be detected.

A UTI may cause a variety of uncomfortable signs and symptoms, including:

Painful urination (dysuria)
A strong, persistent urge to urinate despite having an empty bladder
Burning sensation while urinating
Passing frequent, small amounts of urine
Urine that is cloudy or milky, has an unusual odor, or contains blood
Pressure or cramping in the lower abdomen
Pelvic pain, including pain around the pubic bone

Severe symptoms of a UTI include:

Have had symptoms lasting longer than 7-10 days
Are experiencing pain in your upper abdomen, lower back, or sides
Have a lot of blood in your urine
Are experiencing flu-like symptoms (such as a fever > 100.5 °F, chills, tiredness, etc)
Are experiencing nausea or vomiting

If you are experiencing severe symptoms, call your healthcare provider immediately.

You must be 18 years of age or older to purchase. Purchases not permitted in: AK, AZ, HI.

You do not need to do anything special to prepare for the sample collection. This panel does not require fasting.

When your results are ready, we will send them to you in a clear, easy-to-read report. You will have the option to speak with an independent physician to discuss your results. If your results differ from expected ranges, you may receive an alert call to inform you. Your test results will be available to you a few days after we collect your sample.

If you are female, you may also receive a prescription for an antibiotic to treat a UTI after a physician considers your symptoms, medical history, and test results. UTI Treatment availability for men is not available at this time.

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Your results are available on our free, secure patient portal that you can access on your smartphone, tablet, or desktop. You will receive an email notification when your results are ready. You can also share your results with your healthcare provider, family, or friends.

FAQs

What causes a urinary tract infection?

UTIs are common infections caused by microbes that enter the urinary tract, often from the skin or rectum. Bacteria are the most common cause of UTIs, and many of these infections are caused by E coli bacteria found in the bowel. Because the urethral opening is near bacteria sources in the anus and vagina, an individual’s anatomy further increases the risk of developing a UTI.

Is a urinary tract infection and kidney infection the same?

A UTI is an infection that can occur anywhere throughout the urinary tract and usually begins in the bladder or urethra. A kidney infection, also known as pyelonephritis, is a form of urinary tract infection that occurs when bacteria travel up the ureters and into one or both kidneys. While both types of infections share some common symptoms, such as back pain and cloudy urine, kidney infections are more severe and require immediate medical attention. If left untreated, this condition may result in permanent kidney damage.

Are cystitis and a urinary tract infection the same?

Cystitis is a broad term that refers to inflammation of the bladder. A urinary tract infection is a type of cystitis caused by bacteria. Other causes of cystitis include radiation therapy, irritants, an autoimmune disorder, or a drug reaction. Cystitis symptoms include pain or burning during urination, pelvic pain, and feeling a strong urge to urinate. Some individuals also experience blood in their urine or cloudy or milky urine.

What are the risk factors for getting a UTI?

There are several factors that can increase your risk for getting a UTI, including:

Having a UTI in the past
Sexual activity, especially with a new partner
Changes in the bacteria that live inside the vagina, which can be caused by menopause or the use of spermicides
Pregnancy
Age (older adults and young children are more prone to UTIs)

Urinalysis / Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) Test