Epithelial Cells in Urine

Why this test may be ordered

• as part of a routine checkup
• if your visual or chemical urine test results were not normal
• if you have symptoms of a urinary or kidney disorder, such as frequent and/or painful urination, abdominal (belly) pain, back pain, or blood in your urine

Preparation and collection

If your provider has ordered other urine or blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test. You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.

You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample. If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before your test.

There is no known risk to having the test.

Understanding results

If your results are not normal, it doesn't always mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment.

• Few cells: A normal result is typically "few" cells. Limitation: It's normal to have a small number of certain types of epithelial cells in urine. Next step: To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.
• Moderate or many cells: "Moderate" or "many" cells may be a sign of a medical condition, such as: Urinary tract infection Yeast infection Kidney disease Liver disease Certain types of cancer Limitation: If squamous epithelial cells are in your urine, it may mean your sample was contaminated. Next step: You may need more tests before your provider can make a diagnosis.

• If squamous epithelial cells are in your urine, it may mean your sample was contaminated (cells from another part of the body). This can happen if you do not clean your genital area well enough when collecting your urine sample with the clean catch method.
• A non-normal result does not always mean that you have a medical condition that needs treatment.

What to do next

You may need more tests before your provider can make a diagnosis. To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.

• What do my specific results mean for my health?
• Do I need any follow-up tests?
• What symptoms should I watch for?

Evidence source

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Epithelial Cells in Urine

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