Test Detail
Understanding the Test
Test Measures
FAQ's
References
Other Tests
Content created by
Written by
Dr. Shreya Gupta
BDS, MDS - Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology
Reviewed by
Dr. Ashish Ranjan
MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)
Want to know more?
Read our Editorial Policy

Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)

Also known as Microscopic urine analysis, Microscopic examination of urine, Urinalysis, Urine routine, Urine R/E
Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) Includes 12 testsView All
You need to provide
Urine, Blood
This test is for
Male, Female
Test Preparation
  1. The urine sample must preferably be the first morning midstream urine (part of urine that comes after the first and before the last stream). Collect the urine sample in a sealed and sterile screw-capped container provided by our sample collection professional. Ensure that the urethral area (from where the urine is passed) is clean & container doesn't come in contact with your skin. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed.

Understanding Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)


What is Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)?

A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test examines the appearance, concentration, and content of the urine. It is done if the doctor suspects diseases such as kidney disorders, diabetes, etc. This test is also done as a part of routine medical examination, pregnancy checkup, or preparation before surgery.

Urine is the body’s liquid waste made when the kidneys filter out toxins from the blood. It is made up of water, salt, electrolytes such as sodium and potassium, and some chemicals. Any changes in the color, odor, or constituents of urine may be indicative of certain health conditions.

A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) examines the urine’s color, appearance, pH & specific gravity, and checks for the presence of blood cells, crystals, bacteria, parasites, and some other constituents. Your doctor may advise this test if you show symptoms such as abdominal pain, back pain, painful or frequent urination, blood in the urine, or other urinary problems. A Urine R/M test is also used to detect, manage, and monitor the progress of ongoing treatment of different conditions such as urinary tract infections (UTIs), prostate infections, urinary tract injuries, and metabolic disorders like diabetes, kidney stones or diseases, and liver disease. 

Before your test, make sure you’ve drunk enough water to be able to submit a urine sample for testing. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications and supplements before the test as they may affect the test results. A mid-stream urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed as that can interfere with certain test results.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between different labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your overall treatment plan.

What is Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) used for?

A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test is done:

  • As a part of routine medical checkups or pregnancy checkups.

  • If you have symptoms such as stomach pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination, blood in your urine, or other urinary problems.

  • To detect urinary tract infections and diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease.

  • To monitor the effectiveness of ongoing treatment.

  • As a preparatory checkup before surgery.

What does Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) measure?

Contains 12 tests

A Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test involves gross, chemical, and microscopic evaluation of the urine sample.

  1. Gross examination: It involves the visual examination of the urine sample for color and appearance. Normally, the urine color ranges from colorless or pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the urine’s concentration. Things such as medications, supplements, and some foods such as beetroot can affect the color of your urine. However, unusual urine color can also be a sign of disease.

    In appearance, the urine sample may be clear or cloudy. A clear appearance is indicative of healthy urine. However, the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, etc. may result in cloudy urine, indicating conditions such as dehydration, UTIs, kidney stones, etc. Some other factors such as sperm and skin cells may also result in a cloudy appearance but are harmless.

  2. Chemical examination: It examines the chemical nature of the urine sample using special test strips called dipsticks. These test strips are dipped into the urine sample and they change color when they come in contact with specific substances. The degree of color change gives an estimate of the amount of the substance present. Some of the common things detected include protein, urine pH, ketones, glucose, specific gravity, blood, nitrites, and urobilinogen among others.

  3. Microscopic examination: It involves the examination of the urine sample under the microscope for casts, crystals, cells, bacteria, and yeast. 

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)


Frequently Asked Questions about Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy)

Q. Is fasting required for a Urine R/M (Urine Routine & Microscopy) test?

No, fasting is not required for this test. You can eat or drink normally before the test.

Q. What is the difference between urine routine and urine culture?

A urine culture test can identify the microorganisms responsible for UTI, whereas a urine routine test is the examination of urine appearance, concentration, and content.

Q. Is there any special preparation needed before a urine routine test?

In general, no special preparation is required before a urine routine test. However, it is important to follow any instructions, such as avoiding certain foods or medications that may interfere with the test results, provided by the doctor.

Q. What can affect the results of a urine routine test?

Factors that can affect the results of a urine routine test include the timing of the test, recent food and fluid intake, certain medications, and certain medical conditions such as dehydration or kidney disease. It is important to discuss any factors that may affect your test results with the doctor before the test.

Q. What are the risks involved?

No risks are associated with collecting a midstream urine specimen for microscopic urinalysis. If a catheter is used to obtain the urine, it may cause temporary discomfort.
+ more

INDIA’S LARGEST HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

260m+
Visitors
31m+
Orders Delivered
1800+
Cities
Get the link to download App
Reliable

All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies. All labs listed on the platform are accredited

Secure

Tata 1mg uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) 128-bit encryption and is Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) compliant

Affordable

Find affordable medicine substitutes, save up to 50% on health products, up to 80% off on lab tests and free doctor consultations.

Know more about Tata 1mgdownArrow

Access medical and health information

Tata 1mg provides you with medical information which is curated, written and verified by experts, accurate and trustworthy. Our experts create high-quality content about medicines, diseases, lab investigations, Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products, Ayurvedic herbs/ingredients, and alternative remedies.

Order medicines online

Get free medicine home delivery in over 1800 cities across India. You can also order Ayurvedic, Homeopathic and other Over-The-Counter (OTC) health products. Your safety is our top priority. All products displayed on Tata 1mg are procured from verified and licensed pharmacies.

Book lab tests

Book any lab tests and preventive health packages from certified labs and get tested from the comfort of your home. Enjoy free home sample collection, view reports online and consult a doctor online for free.

Consult a doctor online

Got a health query? Consult doctors online from the comfort of your home for free. Chat privately with our registered medical specialists to connect directly with verified doctors. Your privacy is guaranteed.