Epithelial Cells in Urine: Understanding Ranges and What They Indicate
Time to read 6 min
Time to read 6 min
Epithelial cells are in the body and cover all surfaces in an organ, urinary tract, or skin.
Their presence in urine during a test may indicate crucial information about an individual's health.
Epithelial cells obtained from urine come from various parts of the urinary tract.
The number and kinds of epithelial cells, as well as their condition, can suggest that something is wrong or that everything is otherwise normal for an individual's physiology.
Epithelial cells in body are a type of cells that form the outer layer of body surfaces and internal organs.
They protect a layer and are involved in absorption, secretion, and filtration.
In the urinary system, the number of epithelial form the lining of the kidneys, bladder, ureters, and urethra in the protection mechanism of the urinary tract.
The the number of epithelial in urine can be classified into three forms:
These are those lining the lower urinary tract, especially the bladder and urethra.
In the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis.
Those cells that occur in kidney, though their excretion could suggest renal disease if abundant.
Epithelial cells in the urine This is a very common finding, particularly in a routine urinalysis.
Small numbers of epithelial cells are commonly found in a urine sample. However, an increased number in a urine sample might suggest illness, for example, urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or contamination of the collection.
Normally, epithelial cells in urine are reported as few or none seen in a high power field under microscope during urinalysis.
Normally, a few the number of epithelial in urine are usually normal because cell sloughing from lining of urinary tract can occur naturally.
• Epithelial cells number: 0-5 cells per high power field (HPF).
• Mild to abundant epithelial cells: Indicates that the slide could have contaminated or underlying conditions needing exploration.
The most common types of the number of epithelial in urinalysis are squamous epithelial cells. These are large, flat cells that come from the urethra or the outer genital area.
• Normal: there are some squamous epithelial cells in the urine, which is normal.
• Hgh concentrations: Increased number of squamous epithelial cells may indicate contamination of urine or poor sample collection technique.
Transitional epithelial cells originate from the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis.
• Normal levels: Transitional epithelial cells are rarely found in urine.
• High counts: An elevated transitional epithelial cells count may relate to bladder inflammation or infection or sometimes even indicate an indication of bladder malignancy.
These are renal epithelial cells derived from the kidneys; these are, indeed, the least often identified types of epithelial cells in urine.
• Normal values: In normal individuals, renal epithelial cells are not observed.
• High concentrations: The presence of renal epithelial cells in urine may be an indication of kidney disease or damage that needs immediate attention from a healthcare professional.
It indicates the presence of epithelial cells in urine.
Presumably, the epithelial cells in your urine carry variable meanings based on the type and quantity.
This is the most common cause of epithelial cells in urine.
Symptoms may include burning during urination, frequent urination, and cloudy or even foul-smelling urine.
• An increased number of epithelial cells, especially transitional or squamous epithelial cells may represent the proliferation produced by infection within the urinary tract.
• The presence of renal epithelial cells in urine may indicate illness or damage to the kidneys.
• The history of kidney disease or chronic kidney conditions may increase the number of renal epithelial cells in a patient.
• Inadequate collection procedures: it may be contaminated with squamous epithelial cells from the skin or genitals.
• Other conditions such as bladder inflammation or damage in the urinary tract system can also lead to increases in epithelial cells in urine.
Many reasons may cause an elevation in the amount of epithelial cells in a urine sample, including
• Urinary tract infection: Infections can cause shedding of epithelial cells from the lining of the urinary tract.
• Kidney disease: Chronic or acute conditions, which suggest kidney disease as the source of renal epithelial cells.
• Contamination: Squamous epithelial cells from the external genital area may appear in the specimen if hygiene is poor or specimen collection has been improper.
• Bladder diseases: Infections, inflammation, or even tumors of the bladder are the cause of an increased transitional epithelial cells.
• Drugs: Some drugs cause more loose scaping of epithelial cells.
Epithelial cells are found in a urine test, which is essentially a microscopic study of the urine sample.
• Urinalysis: A general test observing all aspects of urine, physically, chemically, and microscopically.
• Microscopic: It counts and estimates the epithelial cells present in the urine specimen.
A count of epithelial cells in urine is usually within the normal range of 0-5 cells per HPF.
It may be a small number because of the normal shedding of the lining of the urinary tract itself, but more than that may represent an underlying disease or contamination. When to See a Healthcare Provider
Consult a health professional for assessment if symptoms include burning when urinating, increased frequency of urination, or abnormalities in the color or odor of urine.
Increased numbers of epithelial cells in urine have a wide differential diagnosis. Appropriate evaluation will allow you to establish a specific cause of this condition.
Avoid contamination that can give erroneous results by following these steps just before a urine test.
1.Clean the genital area properly before taking the urine sample.
2. Put the sample into a sterile container.
3.takes a midstream urine sample containing minimal contamination from epithelial cells coming from outside.
The healthcare provider would then interpret together the results of your urine test, your symptoms, and other tests if an increased number of epithelial cells are found in your urine test.
• For urinary tract infection, antibiotics may be given.
• Kidney disease: Blood tests or other imaging studies may also be required.
• Contamination: A retest may be necessary with the appropriate collection methods.
Epithelial cells which are found from urine samples are one of the vital things to be reported upon urinalysis sometimes even helps to indicate the condition and even the health concerns arising.
There are three basic varieties of epithelial cells; those are squamous epithelial cells, transitional epithelial cells, and renal epithelial cells.
Each one of them came from different parts in the urinary tract and meant different clinical significance at the time of finding it.
1.Squamous Epithelial Cells
These are the largest epithelial cells, mainly located in the lower urinary tract; for example, the bladder and the urethra. The presence of such cells in urine might be considered natural if only a few are present since most of the cells represent natural shedding, but when they appear in a relatively greater number, it may indicate contamination from the external genitalia, provided proper technique was not adopted in sample collection.
2. Transitional Epithelial Cells
Transitional epithelial cells, also known as urothelial cells, constitute the bladder, ureters, and renal pelvis. Such findings are relatively rare in urine. High transitional epithelial cells in the urine may be indicative of inflammation, infection, or, in very few cases, bladder cancer.
3. Renal Epithelial Cells
The smallest epithelial cells seen in urine are renal epithelial cells, which originate in the kidney. The presence of renal epithelial cells in urine is abnormal and indicates injury or disease to the kidney, like acute tubular necrosis or glomerulonephritis.
The number and type of epithelial cells present in the urine is very much critical and part of the diagnosis about urinary tract disorders. Most in average, but a high rate calls for further study because an appropriate treatment depends on determining a cause for it.
Urine having epithelial cells is one of the primary proofing that can indicate much about an individual's health.
While a few epithelial cells could be normal, an excess quantity may indicate urinary system infection, kidney disease, or possibly contamination.
Once one learns the type and amount of epithelial cells present in his urine, he can comprehend what is happening with the condition so one should discuss with his doctor about his concern regarding the presence of epithelial cells in his urine.
*Medical Disclaimer - The following information is for educational purposes only. No information provided on this website, including text, graphic, and images, are intended as substitutes for professional medical advice. Please consult with your doctor about specific medical advice pertaining to your condition(s).