🧪 Urinalysis Interpretation
A framework for the urine dipstick, sediment cells, casts, proteinuria and crystals. Browser-side reference that pairs with the UPCR, FENa and urine-AG tools.
Dipstick blood with no RBCs suggests myoglobin/haemoglobin.
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When to use
Read urinalysis by component to localise a renal vs urological process; microscopy on a fresh sample is the gold standard.
How it works
RBC casts/dysmorphic RBCs + proteinuria = glomerular; muddy-brown granular casts = ATN; nephrotic-range proteinuria > 3.5 g/24h.
Key points
- Dipstick blood with no RBCs suggests myoglobin/haemoglobin.
- The dipstick is insensitive to light chains (Bence Jones).
- WBC casts suggest pyelonephritis or acute interstitial nephritis.
- Quantify protein with UPCR; separate prerenal with FENa; assess RTA with the urine anion gap.
References
Worked calculation
The values below come from this tool's own example placeholders and are computed server-side with the formula shown on this page, so the arithmetic can be checked quickly. It demonstrates how to substitute values only — it is not clinical advice and not a real case.
| View | Dipstick/appearance |
|---|
→InterpretationDipstick / appearance
- Blood positive but no RBC on microscopy：Myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis) or haemoglobinuria (haemolysis)
- Leukocyte esterase + nitrite：Suggests UTI (nitrite is specific, positive with Enterobacteriaceae)
- Glucose/ketones：Glycosuria/ketosis; specific gravity and pH help judge concentration and acid-base
| View | Crystals/other |
|---|
→InterpretationCrystals / other
- Common crystals：Calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite (infection stones), cystine (hereditary)
- Drug crystals：Sulfonamides, aciclovir, indinavir (prevent with adequate hydration)
- Fat / oval fat bodies：Nephrotic syndrome
Frequently asked questions
- What is Urinalysis Interpretation?
- A framework for the urine dipstick, sediment cells, casts, proteinuria and crystals. Browser-side reference that pairs with the UPCR, FENa and urine-AG tools.
- How is Urinalysis Interpretation calculated? What is the core formula?
- RBC casts/dysmorphic RBCs + proteinuria = glomerular; muddy-brown granular casts = ATN; nephrotic-range proteinuria > 3.5 g/24h.
- When is Urinalysis Interpretation used?
- Read urinalysis by component to localise a renal vs urological process; microscopy on a fresh sample is the gold standard.
- What are the key clinical points for Urinalysis Interpretation?
- Dipstick blood with no RBCs suggests myoglobin/haemoglobin. The dipstick is insensitive to light chains (Bence Jones). WBC casts suggest pyelonephritis or acute interstitial nephritis. Quantify protein with UPCR; separate prerenal with FENa; assess RTA with the urine anion gap.
- What are the limits and cautions when using Urinalysis Interpretation?
- For licensed clinicians and clinical researchers. Interpret results with history, investigations and local protocols; not a diagnosis or prescription, and not a substitute for multidisciplinary decision-making or local guidelines.
- How is Urinalysis Interpretation calculated in practice? Can you show a worked example?
- Inputs: View Dipstick/appearance → Result: Interpretation Dipstick / appearance（Blood positive but no RBC on microscopy: Myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis) or haemoglobinuria (haemolysis), Leukocyte esterase + nitrite: Suggests UTI (nitrite is specific, positive with Enterobacteriaceae), Glucose/ketones: Glycosuria/ketosis; specific gravity and pH help judge concentration and acid-base） Inputs: View Crystals/other → Result: Interpretation Crystals / other（Common crystals: Calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite (infection stones), cystine (hereditary), Drug crystals: Sulfonamides, aciclovir, indinavir (prevent with adequate hydration), Fat / oval fat bodies: Nephrotic syndrome）