Diagnostic Tests for Darkened urine
Diagnostic Test list for Darkened urine:
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Darkened urine
includes:
- Physical examination
- Examine for signs of anemia
- Temperature - may suggest urinary tract infection, lupus erythematosus, infective endocarditis if there is blood in the urine. If jaundiced may suggest viral hepatitis, pancreatitis, cholangitis or severe alcoholic hepatitis.
- Blood pressure - e.g. if high blood pressure may suggest glomerulonephritis, polycystic kidneys, lupus erythematosus.
- Cardiovascular examination - to look for signs of infective endocarditis which may cause emboli to kidney e.g. fever, heart murmur, small hemorrhages on the nails.
- Abdominal palpation for mass in flanks - e.g. bilateral flank masses may suggest polycystic kidneys and hydronephrosis; a unilateral flank mass may suggest a hypernephroma (renal cell carcinoma), unilateral hydronephrosis, solitary kidney cyst or renal vein thrombosis.
- Abdominal examination for enlarged liver, enlarged spleen, ascites and palpable gallbladder which may be associated with various causes of jaundice and dark urine
- Examine for bladder tenderness or enlargement - which may suggest prostatic obstruction and urine retention.
- Digital rectal examination for enlarged prostate ( benign or malignant) or tender prostate of prostatitis
- Examine for signs of bleeding disorder - e.g. widespread bruising, swollen joints, bleeding gums.
- Urine tests
- Urine analysis and microscopy - looking for protein, granular casts and red cell casts suggestive of glomerulonephritis and lupus erythematosus. Look for Bilirubin present in jaundice.
- Urine culture and sensitivity - to diagnose urinary tract infection.
- Urine cytology - may be useful to detect malignancies of the bladder and lower urinary tract, but is usually negative for kidney cancers.
- First pass Urine PCR test for gonorrhea and Chlamydia to rule out sexually acquired urethritis
- Anaerobic culture and AFB smear and culture - to rule out tuberculosis.
- Blood test
- Full blood count
- ESR
- Renal function tests (urea and Creatinine)
- Anti-streptolysin O titers and serum complement level if suspect glomerulonephritis
- Coagulation profile to help rule out acquired or hereditary bleeding disorders
- Antinuclear antibody, dsDNA, Rheumatoid factor may help diagnose lupus erythematosus
- Liver function tests with Bilirubin level
- Viral serology for Hepatitis A, B and C and also CMV and EBV if jaundice is present
- Serum amylase is elevated in pancreatitis
- If a rare type of cirrhosis is present serum copper, caeruloplasmin, alpha-1 antitrypsin and iron studies
- Radiological investigations
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- Renal ultrasound scan - may help diagnose a renal cyst, but is less sensitive at detecting lower urinary tract abnormalities.
- Retrograde pyelography
- If jaundice is present, Upper abdominal ultrasound scan to look for an obstructive cause - e.g. cancer or gallstones.
- ERCP - if upper abdominal ultrasound suggests obstructive cause outside the liver i.e. dilated bile ducts. Used to diagnose a stone in the common bile duct or biliary obstruction due to cancer.
- Renal angiogram and aortogram may be necessary to evaluate renovascular hypertension and renal embolism
- If the above tests do not reveal the cause of blood in the urine, may need to have cystoscopy by Urologist; CT scan of abdomen and pelvis or renal biopsy
- Liver biopsy may be required if upper abdominal ultrasound does not show dilated bile ducts in a person with jaundice
Home Diagnostic Testing
These home medical tests may be relevant to Darkened urine causes:
- Bladder & Urinary Health: Home Testing:
- Prostate Health: Home Testing:
- Kidney Health: Home Testing:
Conditions listing medical symptoms: Darkened urine:
The following list of conditions
have 'Darkened urine' or similar
listed as a symptom in our database.
This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete.
Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause
of any symptom.
Select from the following alphabetical view of conditions which
include a symptom of Darkened urine or choose View All.
Conditions listing medical complications: Darkened urine:
The following list of medical conditions have 'Darkened urine'
or similar listed as a medical complication in our database.
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