mucus-in-urine
Reviewed
Also called: microscopic urine analysis, microscopic examination of urine, urine test, urine analysis, UA
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.
Specimen: urine
Why this test may be ordered
- As part of a routine checkup to check general health or monitor a medical condition.
- If you have symptoms of a UTI, such as frequent urge to urinate, pain or burning while urinating, dark/cloudy/reddish urine, bad-smelling urine, lower abdominal discomfort, weakness, or fatigue.
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.
You will need to provide a urine sample using the 'clean catch' method to avoid contamination. Instructions include washing hands, cleaning the genital area with a provided wipe, collecting a midstream sample into a sterile container, and capping the container without touching the inside.
There is no known risk to having a urinalysis or a test for mucus in urine.
Understanding results
Your healthcare provider will interpret your results. A normal result usually shows a small or moderate amount of mucus in your urine.
- Small or moderate amount of mucus: This is a normal finding. Limitation: A small amount of mucus in urine is normal. Next step: No further action is typically needed based on this result alone.
- Large amount of mucus: This may be a sign of a medical condition, such as a urinary tract infection (UTI), a sexually transmitted infection (STI), kidney stones, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), or bladder cancer. Limitation: This test alone cannot diagnose the cause of the increased mucus. Further testing is needed to determine the underlying condition. Next step: Your provider may recommend additional tests to find out why there is a large amount of mucus in your urine.
- 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.
- What does the amount of mucus in my urine mean for my health?
- If my result shows a large amount of mucus, what additional tests might I need?
- Could any medications or supplements I take affect this test?
- How should I prepare for any follow-up tests you recommend?