Epithelial cells are a type of cell that lines the inside and outside of your body. They can be found in your urine, and a raised amount of epithelial cells in your urine may indicate an illness, such as an infection or other serious conditions like kidney or liver problems.
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Several things can be found in the urine, such as bacteria, red blood cells, white blood cells, and pus. Another common finding includes epithelial cells in urine. A raised amount of epithelial cells in your urine may indicate an illness, such as an infection or other serious conditions like kidney or liver problems.
But what exactly are epithelial cells? How concerned should one be if a doctor finds epithelial cells present in urine? The following blog discusses the meaning, causes, tests, and treatment of epithelial cells. Furthermore, it also discusses epithelial cells in urine in the normal range. Continue reading to find out!
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Epithelial cells are the cells on the body's surface, such as the skin, urinary tract, blood vessels, and organs. They act as a protective barrier, stopping viruses from entering the body. Besides the protective function, epithelial cells perform other functions as well, such as:
Epithelial cells can be of different shapes, sizes, and appearances. However, depending on the origin, three types of epithelial cells are present in the urine. These types include:
Your body undergoes normal wear and tear. As a result, cells die and are removed from the body through various excretory methods, such as urine. Therefore, the presence of epithelial cells in urine in the normal range is possible. However, elevated levels are a cause of concern.
Elevated epithelial cells in urine may cause symptoms such as:
Epithelial cells in urine are usually not a cause of concern. However, if the amount of these cells in the urine exceeds the normal range, it may indicate an infection or a serious condition. Epithelial cells can be present in the urine due to several reasons, such as:
Having more than normal epithelial cells in urine is not a good sign. Some people are at a higher risk of having epithelial cells in their urine than others.
While epithelial cells in urine can be caused due to several diseases, certain factors can increase the risk for elevated levels of these cells. You should talk to your healthcare provider if you have a higher risk of increased epithelial cells.
The risk factors of increased epithelial cells in urine include:
Your doctor will order a urinalysis to measure the number of epithelial cells in urine. You may need this test if you experience symptoms such as pain when urinating, frequent urination, pain in the lower abdomen, and back pain.
You may also need the test if a visual or chemical urine test shows an elevated level of epithelial cells. The test is performed through the following steps:
It is essential to know the epithelial cells in urine range to understand what is considered normal and excessive. A small number of epithelial cells are normally present in your urine. The count of epithelial cells present in urine is measured through a urine test.
Normal epithelial cells in urine remain constant for people of all age groups and gender. The optimum level of epithelial cells in a urine sample is about 15 to 20 squamous epithelial cells per HPF (high power field).
The results of the urinalysis may show a few, moderate, or many epithelial cells in urine. But what do epithelial cells in urine mean? If your test result is few, there are normal epithelial cells in the urine.
However, a result of moderate or more may indicate a medical condition, such as a yeast or urinary tract infection, liver or kidney disease, or certain kinds of cancer.
Urinary tract infections and kidney diseases are two of the most common causes of elevated epithelial cells in urine. However, there are specific ways in which you can prevent these conditions, such as:
Lifestyle Changes to Manage Abnormal Epithelial Cells in Urine
The doctor may advise some lifestyle changes to help manage the abnormal levels of epithelial cells in urine. Some of these changes include:
While elevated epithelial cells present in the urine may indicate serious conditions, it is possible to reduce the number of these cells through different treatments.
Wondering how to reduce epithelial cells in urine? The treatment approach depends on the cause of high levels of epithelial cells. The following are the treatment methods for various underlying causes of epithelial cells in urine:
Urinalysis is a simple and easy test that can provide vast information about your health. At-home urine tests are quick to perform. The test can help catch an infection early and save time and money.
If the results of a urine test indicate more than normal epithelial cells in the urine, you should talk to a doctor about what this means for your health. You should also consult a healthcare professional if you experience the following symptoms:
Epithelial cells on the skin, urinary tract, and blood vessels are protective barriers preventing viruses from entering the body. Normally, epithelial cells in urine range from 15-20 squamous epithelial cells per HPF. However, exceeding this normal range may indicate a serious condition, such as UTIs or kidney disease. Urinalysis is the test doctors use to measure the levels of various substances in your urine.
If you are experiencing symptoms of epithelial cells in urine or have other concerns about your health, it is essential to consult your healthcare professional. They can tell if you have an underlying condition that needs treatment by conducting further testing. The medical professionals at HexaHealth will help you with free consultations regarding your concerns. Moreover, we will connect you with the best doctors if further treatment is required. Contact a HexaHealth expert TODAY!
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Epithelial cells can differ based on size, structure, and origin. Based on the origin, three types of epithelial cells are present in urine. Three types of epithelial cells in urine include:
Several factors can increase the count of epithelial cells in urine. The most important cause is specimen contamination due to using an unsterilised collection cup and unclean genitals. Medical conditions that may cause an increase in these cells include:
Higher than normal epithelial cells in urine can be due to an underlying disease. Symptoms that may indicate high levels of epithelial cells include:
The doctor recommends a urinalysis to check epithelial cells in the urine. You will be given a specimen container and sterile pad during this test. The pad is used to clean the genitals before urinating into the container.
You must allow a small amount of urine to flow and collect the midstream sample. You will typically need to collect 15-30 millilitres of urine. Once you have collected the sample, secure the container lid and submit it immediately.
You do not need any special preparations for the test for epithelial cells in urine. Your doctor will let you know if any special instructions need to be followed.
Generally, it is important to clean your genital area before providing the urine sample, as it can help prevent specimen contamination. If you are using an at-home test to collect a sample, the sample should be handed to the clinic within one hour of collection.
The treatment for high epithelial cells in urine depends on its underlying cause. One common cause of epithelial cells in urine is UTIs, which can be treated with antibiotics or antivirals.
Kidney disease has several different treatment approaches, depending on its cause. The doctor will prescribe blood pressure medications to manage blood pressure, insulin injections to control blood sugar, and a healthy diet to keep cholesterol levels in check.
Certain lifestyle changes like regular exercise, losing weight, drinking more water, limiting alcohol, etc., are also effective.
Since high epithelial cells in urine are caused by conditions such as UTIs and kidney diseases, it can be prevented by preventing these conditions. Some measures to prevent UTIs and kidney problems include:
Urinalysis is the test to determine the levels of epithelial cells in urine. It includes tests for certain chemicals and examination under a microscope to find specific types of cells.
If the test results show high epithelial levels, the doctor may recommend tests to diagnose or rule out urinary tract infections, kidney or liver diseases, and certain types of cancer.
A change in diet can help reduce high epithelial cells in urine. High epithelial cells in urine can be caused by kidney problems, which are caused due to several factors, such as blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol.
Replacing cholesterol-rich foods with a heart-healthy diet, including fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can manage cholesterol levels and kidney problems. Therefore, diet modification is a healthy lifestyle change that affects epithelial cells in urine.
Too many epithelial cells in your urine may indicate serious conditions like urinary tract infections or kidney diseases. If left untreated, the underlying condition that caused epithelial cells in urine may worsen.
If you experience bothersome urinary symptoms, consult a doctor for a proper diagnosis. The sooner your doctor diagnoses the underlying condition, the sooner treatment can reduce symptoms.
All the articles on HexaHealth are supported by verified medically-recognized sources such as; peer-reviewed academic research papers, research institutions, and medical journals. Our medical reviewers also check references of the articles to prioritize accuracy and relevance. Refer to our detailed editorial policy for more information.
Last Updated on: 5 September 2023
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
12 Years Experience
Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
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