Ulta Lab Tests

Urinalysis Complete with Urine Culture Always

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The following is a list of what is included in the item above. Click the test(s) below to view what biomarkers are measured along with an explanation of what the biomarker is measuring.

Also known as: Culture Urine Routine, Urine, Routine Culture

Culture

SOURCE:

STATUS:

Also known as: UA, Complete, Urinalysis UA Complete, Urine Analysis, Complete

Amorphous Sediment (Only Reported If Detected)

Appearance

Bacteria

Bacteria are living things that have only one cell. Most bacteria won't hurt you - less than 1 percent of the different types make people sick. Many are helpful. Some bacteria help to digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, and give the body needed vitamins. But infectious bacteria can make you ill. They reproduce quickly in your body. Many give off chemicals called toxins, which can damage tissue and make you sick. Examples of bacteria that cause infections include Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and E. coli.

Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid made by the liver. A small amount of older red blood cells are replaced by new blood cells every day. Bilirubin is left after these older blood cells are removed. The liver helps break down bilirubin so that it can be removed from the body in the stool.

Calcium Oxalate Crystals (Only Reported If Detected)

Calcium oxalate is a chemical compound that forms envelope-shaped crystals. A major constituent of human kidney stones.

Casts (Only Reported If Detected)

Urinary casts are cylindrical structures produced by the kidney and present in the urine in certain disease states. They form in the distal convoluted tubule and collecting ducts of nephrons, then dislodge and pass into the urine, where they can be detected by microscopy.

Color

Crystals (Only Reported If Detected)

Abnormal crystals may appear in urine as a result of pathology or due to normal catabolism

Glucose

A blood glucose test measures the amount of a sugar called glucose in a sample of your blood. Glucose is a major source of energy for most cells of the body, including those in the brain. The hormones insulin and glucagon help control blood glucose levels.

Granular Cast (Only Reported If Detected)

The second-most common type of cast, granular casts can result either from the breakdown of cellular casts or the inclusion of aggregates of plasma proteins (e.g., albumin) or immunoglobulin light chains. Depending on the size of inclusions, they can be classified as fine or coarse, though the distinction has no diagnostic significance. Their appearance is generally more cigar-shaped and of a higher refractive index than hyaline casts. While most often indicative of chronic renal disease, these casts, as with hyaline casts, can also be seen for a short time following strenuous exercise

Hyaline Cast

Urinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles. Urinary casts may be made up of white blood cells, red blood cells, kidney cells, or substances such as protein or fat. The most common type of cast, hyaline casts are solidified Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein secreted from the tubular epithelial cells of individual nephrons. Low urine flow, concentrated urine, or an acidic environment can contribute to the formation of hyaline casts, and, as such, they may be seen in normal individuals in dehydration or vigorous exercise. Hyaline casts are cylindrical and clear, with a low refractive index,

Ketones

Ketones are substances produced in the liver when fat cells break down in the blood. A serum ketone test is a measurement of how many ketones are in the blood.

Leukocyte Esterase

Leukocyte esterase is a urine test to look for white blood cells and other signs associated with infection.

Nitrite

Occult Blood

The test looks for hidden (occult) blood in a specimen sample. It can find blood even if you cannot see it yourself.

Ph

Level of acid

Protein

Body fluids contain many different proteins that serve diverse functions such as transport of nutrients, removal of toxins, control of metabolic processes, and defense against invaders. Protein electrophoresis is a method for separating these proteins based on their size and electrical charge. When body fluids are separated by electrophoresis, they form a characteristic pattern of bands of different widths and intensities, reflecting the mixture of proteins present. This pattern is divided into five fractions, called albumin, alpha 1, alpha 2, beta, and gamma. In some cases, the beta fraction is further divided into beta 1 and beta 2. Albumin, which is produced in the liver, accounts for about 60% of the protein in the blood. "Globulins" is a collective term used to refer to proteins other than albumin. With the exception of the immunoglobulins and some complement proteins, most of the globulins are also produced in the liver. Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) is a method used to identify abnormal bands seen on serum, urine, or CSF protein electrophoresis, as to which type of antibody (immunoglobulin) is present.

Rbc

RBCs contain hemoglobin, which carries oxygen. How much oxygen your body tissues get depends on how many RBCs you have and how well they work.

Reducing Substances (Only Reported If Detected)

Renal Epithelial Cells (Only Reported If Detected)

Specific Gravity

Squamous Epithelial Cells

Transitional Epithelial (Only Reported If Detected)

Triple Phosphate Crystals (Only Reported If Detected)

Struvite stones (triple phosphate/magnesium ammonium phosphate) - about 10–15% of urinary calculi are composed of struvite (ammonium magnesium phosphate, NH4MgPO4·6H2O).[44] Struvite stones (also known as "infection stones", urease or triple-phosphate stones), form most often in the presence of infection by urea-splitting bacteria

Uric Acid Crystals (Only Reported If Detected)

Abnormal crystals may appear in urine as a result of pathology or due to normal catabolism

WBC

WBCs help fight infections. They are also called leukocytes. There are five major types of white blood cells: basophils, eosinophils, lymphocytes (T cells and B cells), monocytes and neutrophils

YEAST (Only Reported If Detected)

Candida is the scientific name for yeast. It is a fungus that lives almost everywhere, including in your body. Usually, your immune system keeps yeast under control. If you are sick or taking antibiotics, it can multiply and cause an infection.
*Important Information on Lab Test Processing Times: Ulta Lab Tests is committed to informing you about the processing times for your lab tests processed through a national lab. Please note that the estimated processing time for each test, indicated in business days, is based on data from the past 30 days across the 13 laboratories for each test. These estimates are intended to serve as a guide and are not guarantees. Factors such as laboratory workload, weather conditions, holidays, and the need for additional testing or maintenance can influence actual processing times. We aim to offer estimates to help you plan accordingly. Please understand that these times may vary, and processing times are not guaranteed. Thank you for choosing Ulta Lab Tests for your laboratory needs.

The Urinalysis Complete with Urine Culture Always panel contains 2 tests with 30 biomarkers .

Get a More Complete Urinary Health Screening with UA + Culture Performed Every Time

The Urinalysis Complete with Urine Culture Always panel combines a complete urinalysis with a routine urine culture. Unlike a reflex-to-culture test, this panel is designed so the urine culture is ordered every time, regardless of the urinalysis findings.

A complete urinalysis can help evaluate urine color, appearance, concentration, chemical markers, and microscopic findings. A urine culture can help identify whether bacteria or other organisms may be present in the urine. Together, these tests provide broader urinary health information than urinalysis alone.

This option may be helpful for people who want added reassurance when urinary tract symptoms are present, when prior urinalysis results were unclear, or when they prefer not to rely on reflex criteria to determine whether a culture is performed.

What Is Included in This Panel?

1. Urinalysis, Complete

A complete urinalysis evaluates the physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics of urine. Quest test code 5463 — Urinalysis, Complete includes macroscopic and microscopic examinations and does not include reflex to culture. 

A complete urinalysis may evaluate markers such as:

Color
Appearance
Specific gravity
pH
Protein
Glucose
Ketones
Blood
Bilirubin
Urobilinogen
Nitrite
Leukocyte esterase
White blood cells
Red blood cells
Bacteria
Yeast
Casts
Crystals
Epithelial cells

2. Culture, Urine Routine

A routine urine culture is performed to help detect and identify bacteria or other organisms that may be present in the urine. Quest test code 395 — Culture, Urine, Routine is listed as a separate urine culture test. 

When clinically appropriate and available through the laboratory process, a urine culture may also support organism identification and susceptibility testing, which can help healthcare providers determine which antibiotics may be effective.

Why Choose “Culture Always” Instead of Reflex to Culture?

A UA with reflex to culture only performs the culture when the urinalysis meets specific laboratory reflex criteria. Quest test code 3020 — Urinalysis, Complete, with Reflex to Culture uses defined urinalysis findings to determine whether a culture is performed. 

The Urinalysis Complete with Urine Culture Always panel is different. It includes both tests from the start:

Urinalysis Complete
Routine Urine Culture

That means the culture is ordered regardless of whether the UA shows nitrites, leukocyte esterase, white blood cells, bacteria, yeast, or other reflex-triggering findings.

This may be preferred by customers who want a more complete urinary screening option and do not want the culture decision to depend only on reflex rules.

Who May Consider This Test?

This panel may be useful for people who want more complete urinary health information, especially when they are experiencing or monitoring concerns such as:

Burning or discomfort with urination
Frequent urination
Urgent need to urinate
Cloudy or unusual-smelling urine
Lower abdominal or pelvic discomfort
Concern about urinary tract infection
History of recurrent urinary symptoms
Unclear prior urinalysis results
Desire for a urine culture even if UA findings are normal

This test does not diagnose, treat, or rule out any condition by itself. Results should be reviewed with a qualified healthcare provider, especially if symptoms are present.

Why a Urinalysis Alone May Not Be Enough

A urinalysis can provide helpful information, but it does not grow bacteria. It looks for indirect signs that may suggest infection, inflammation, kidney issues, metabolic changes, or other urinary abnormalities.

For example:

Leukocyte esterase may suggest white blood cell activity.
Nitrites may suggest certain bacteria that convert nitrate to nitrite.
Microscopy may show white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, yeast, casts, or crystals.

However, not all organisms produce nitrites, and not all infections create strong UA findings. A culture can provide additional information because it is designed to detect organism growth from the urine specimen.

What Makes This Panel Different?

Culture is performed every time

This panel does not depend on a reflex algorithm to decide whether culture testing is performed.

More complete urinary evaluation

The panel combines UA findings with urine culture information.

Helpful when symptoms and UA results do not match

Some people may have urinary symptoms even when certain UA markers are not strongly abnormal.

Better peace of mind for self-pay customers

Customers paying out of pocket may prefer to order both tests upfront rather than risk needing a second order later.

Useful information to share with a healthcare provider

Results may help guide a more informed discussion with a doctor, urgent care provider, urologist, gynecologist, or other clinician.

Specimen Collection Note

Because this panel includes both a complete urinalysis and a urine culture, proper urine specimen collection and handling are important.

Quest notes that when culture is ordered separately from urinalysis, a separate urine culture specimen is required, such as a gray-top tube or UriSponge urine culture transport tube, depending on the specific test and collection requirements. 

Patients should follow the collection instructions provided at the patient service center or with their order materials.

Preparation

No fasting is required.

For best results, follow all urine collection instructions carefully. A clean-catch, midstream urine specimen may help reduce contamination and improve accuracy. Quest guidance for urinalysis encourages midstream collection to minimize contamination. 

Before testing, patients may want to ask their healthcare provider whether they should avoid collecting the specimen during menstruation, after using certain medications, or after starting antibiotics, since these factors may affect interpretation.

Turnaround Time

Most urine test results are available within a few business days after the laboratory receives the specimen. Culture results may take longer than urinalysis results because organisms, if present, need time to grow.

Estimated turnaround times may vary based on specimen quality, laboratory processing, reflex or susceptibility testing, holidays, and other factors.

How to Order

Ordering is simple:

  1. Add Urinalysis Complete with Urine Culture Always to your cart.
  2. Complete your order online.
  3. Visit a participating patient service center for specimen collection.
  4. Receive secure online results when testing is complete.
  5. Review your results with your healthcare provider.

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