By far, the most common study is urinalysis, despite the huge number of modern tests. It is simple, inexpensive, quickly executable, but at the same time very informative. One of its indicators is the flat epithelium in the urine, which, in combination with others, helps a specialist to identify pathology. However, in itself does not matter much.
Flat epithelium in the urine is present almost constantly. He gets there from the lower urinary system, mainly from the urethra. These cells are found in healthy people, but their infection rises during infection.
Flat epithelium in urine - normal:
- men - single in the drug or absent;
- women - single in sight or absent.
However, in order for the result to be reliable, it is necessary to correctly collect material for analysis. Therefore, before this, a thorough toilet of the external genitalia should be carried out. It is better to introduce a cotton swab into the vagina. You can not be tested during menstruation.
Urine should be collected after waking up in the morning in a sterile jar. It can be bought at a pharmacy or taken in a laboratory. It is better not to use containers that were already in use, or they should be carefully processed.
When collecting the analysis, the labia minora should be moved apart. Then start urinating in the toilet, then substitute a jar and collect a portion of urine. About 100 ml is sufficient for analysis. Then continue to urinate in the toilet.
The analysis should be taken to the laboratory within an hour. Otherwise, the result may be unreliable. On the jar, it is desirable to indicate the time of analysis.
If urine is taken using a catheter and a flat epithelium is found in it, then this may indicate cystitis. This disease is characterized by intense desquamation.
Flat epithelium can be present in urine, but there should not be a transitional and renal one. Their appearance indicates pathology. A large number of transitional epithelium is observed in kidney stones, cystitis, pyelonephritis, urological studies (instrumental) and intoxication. However, in a single amount, it can occur.
If the kidney parenchyma is affected, then the urine will have a renal epithelium that lines their tubules. This occurs with circulatory disorders, intoxications, some infections, pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis. If 3 days after transplantation, the renal epithelium is found, its cells 15 or more in the field of view, then there is a threat of rejection of the allograft.
They are also present in urine in the following cases:
- tubular necrosis;
- nephrosclerosis;
- poisoning with ethylene glycol, heavy metals;
- fever;
- taking bismuth, phenacetin, cortisol, salicylates.
So, the epithelium in the urine is the norm:
- renal - absent;
- transitional - absent or single.
The most important indicators of analysis are white blood cells, protein, and bacteria. Their increased amounts indicate an inflammatory process that occurs in the genitourinary system.
Also, when analyzing urine, the following indicators are determined:
- color;
- reaction;
- transparency;
- salts;
- specific gravity;
- sugar;
- slime;
- cylinders;
- red blood cells.
Healthy people need to do this study at least once a year. A person who has diseases of the urinary system needs to perform it much more often.
A urine test is prescribed in the following cases:
- half a month after streptococcal infection (scarlet fever, sore throat);
- diseases of the urinary system ;
- professional examination;
- checking the effectiveness of treatment, monitoring complications, monitoring the disease.
Thus, flat epithelium in the urine may be present in small quantities. If there is a lot of it, this may indicate the presence of inflammation in the urinary organs. Transitional and renal epithelium should not be normal. To obtain a reliable result, you need to correctly collect the analysis.