mucus-in-urine
Reviewed
This test checks the amount of mucus in a urine sample. A small amount is normal; a large amount may be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) or other medical condition. It is typically part of a urinalysis.
Preparation and collection
No special preparation is needed for this test. If your provider has ordered other urine or blood tests, you may need to fast for several hours before the test. Follow any specific instructions your provider gives you.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- A large amount of mucus may be a sign of various conditions, but this test alone does not diagnose any specific disease.
- Contamination of the urine sample with skin germs can affect results; following the clean catch instructions is important.
- If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before the test, as these can affect results.
What to do next
To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider. If you get frequent UTIs, your provider may recommend more testing and steps to help prevent future infections.