Urine for Dysmorphic RBCs Test: Booking, Price, and Results
About Urine for Dysmorphic RBCs Test: Booking, Price, and Results
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Also Known As | Dysmorphic RBC test, urine dysmorphic erythrocytes test, urine RBC morphology test, dysmorphic red blood cell detection test |
| Sample Type | Urine (midstream spot sample in a sterile container) |
| Fasting Required | No fasting required |
| Report Time | 6 days |
| Recommended For | All genders and ages, particularly those with blood in urine (haematuria) |
| Price | Starting at ₹320 |
What is a urine test for dysmorphic RBCs?
The urine for dysmorphic RBCs test examines the shape of red blood cells (RBCs) found in a urine sample. When RBCs pass through damaged kidney filters, they become misshapen. Detecting these abnormally shaped cells helps doctors determine whether bleeding is coming from the kidneys or from other parts of the urinary tract.
This test is commonly ordered for patients with haematuria (blood in the urine). It is also known as the dysmorphic RBC test, urine RBC morphology, or dysmorphic red blood cell detection.
What Do Urine Dysmorphic RBC Tests Measure?
The Dysmorphic RBC test examines the shape and proportion of RBCs present in a urine sample under a microscope. The key parameters assessed are listed below.
| Parameter | What It Indicates |
|---|---|
| RBCs in urine | The total number of red blood cells present per high-power field |
| Dysmorphic RBCs | Abnormally shaped RBCs suggesting kidney filter (glomerular) damage |
| Acanthocytes | A specific type of dysmorphic RBC, ring-shaped cells with small bleb-like projections, is strongly linked to glomerular bleeding |
Healthy urine contains very few RBCs. Significant proportions of dysmorphic cells indicate a problem within the kidney's filtering units (glomeruli).
Why Is a Urine Test for Dysmorphic RBCs Done?
Doctors order this test when a patient has blood in the urine and the source of that bleeding needs to be identified. Below is a breakdown of the common reasons.
Common Symptoms That May Require This Test
The following symptoms may prompt a doctor to request a urine dysmorphic erythrocytes test.
- Visible blood in the urine causes it to look pink-, red-, or brown-coloured.
- Swelling of the legs or feet.
- Reduced urine output.
- Fatigue and shortness of breath.
- High blood pressure without a clear cause.
- Pain or burning sensation during urination.
- Lower back or flank pain.
Conditions This Test Can Help Detect
This test can help identify several kidney-related conditions, including those listed here.
- Glomerulonephritis (inflammation of the kidney's filtering units)
- IgA nephropathy (a type of kidney disease caused by IgA protein deposits)
- Lupus nephritis (kidney involvement due to the autoimmune condition lupus)
- Vasculitis (inflammation of the blood vessels affecting the kidneys)
- Membranous nephropathy and other glomerular disorders
Urine for Dysmorphic RBCs for Chronic Disease Monitoring
For patients already diagnosed with conditions such as glomerulonephritis or other chronic kidney diseases, this test plays an important role in ongoing care. It helps doctors assess how active the kidney disease is at a given time and whether it is responding to treatment. Repeat testing allows the medical team to track any changes in kidney health over time.
How to Prepare and What to Expect
No special preparation is needed for this test, but following a few simple steps will help ensure an accurate result.
Do You Need to Fast?
No, fasting is not required before this test. You may eat and drink normally on the day of collection. If you have been asked to do additional tests alongside this one, enquire with your doctor whether any of those require fasting.
Practical Tips Before Your Test
The following tips will help make the collection smooth and the result reliable.
- Bring a detailed clinical history, including your symptoms, any previous test results, and your medical background, as this is required for the test.
- Tell your doctor about all medications you are currently taking, as some can affect your test results.
- Avoid strenuous exercise for at least 24 hours before collecting the sample, as vigorous activity can temporarily cause RBCs to appear in urine.
- Women should avoid collecting the sample during menstruation to prevent contamination.
- If there is any delay in dropping off the sample, store it in a refrigerator at 4 to 8 degrees Celsius.
Step-by-Step Procedure
Collecting a urine sample for the dysmorphic RBC test procedure is straightforward. Here are the steps to follow.
Factors That Can Affect Accuracy
Certain factors can affect how reliable the test result is.
- Delay in processing the sample can cause the RBCs to break down or shrink, making it difficult to assess their shape accurately.
- Very dilute urine can cause cell lysis (breakdown), while very concentrated urine can cause cells to shrink.
- Contamination from menstrual blood in women
- Recent vigorous exercise before sample collection
- Not following the clean-catch midstream collection method
Understanding Your Dysmorphic RBC test Results
Your urine RBC morphology test results will indicate the proportion of dysmorphic RBCs and acanthocytes found in the sample. These proportions guide the doctor's interpretation of where bleeding is originating. The table below provides general reference ranges.
| Parameter | Value | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| RBCs in urine | Up to 4 per high-power field (HPF) | Normal; minimal RBCs |
| Dysmorphic RBCs | <17% to <20% of total urine RBCs | Non-glomerular source of bleeding likely |
| Dysmorphic RBCs | 25% or more of total urine RBCs | Strongly suggestive of glomerular bleeding |
| Acanthocytes | Less than 5% of total urine RBCs | Non-glomerular source likely |
| Acanthocytes | 5% or more of total urine RBCs | Suggestive of glomerular haematuria |
Disclaimer: These ranges are general guidelines. Your doctor will interpret your results based on your age, health history, and other factors. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalised medical advice.
Dysmorphic RBCs and acanthocytes both are abnormally shaped red blood cells, but the number of acanthocytes present can accurately predict whether the bleeding is from the kidney (glomerular bleeding) or from the bladder or lower urinary tract (non-glomerular).
Bleeding from the kidney indicates underlying kidney damage or disease.
Results During Special Conditions
Certain situations can affect how results are read. Very dilute urine may cause red blood cells to break apart, while very concentrated urine may cause them to shrink. Both changes can distort cell shapes and affect accurate morphology assessment. Women who collect the sample during menstruation may show RBCs due to contamination rather than a kidney issue. Recent intense physical activity can also cause a temporary rise in urinary RBCs unrelated to kidney disease.
How to Maintain Healthy Levels
The following general wellness habits support kidney health.
- Stay well-hydrated by drinking adequate water throughout the day to help the kidneys function well.
- If you have high blood pressure or diabetes, managing these conditions is important for kidney health.
- Attend regular follow-up appointments if you have a known kidney condition, so any changes can be caught early.
Lupin Diagnostics Urine for Dysmorphic RBCs Price and Home Collection
The urine for dysmorphic RBCs test cost at Lupin Diagnostics starts at ₹320, and home sample collection is available across cities. City-wise prices are listed in the table below.
| City | Approximate Price ( ₹) |
|---|---|
| BHOPAL | 320 |
| CHENNAI | 250 |
| HYDERABAD | 320 |
| KOLKATA | 250 |
| NAVI MUMBAI | 320 |
| PUNE | 320 |
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and may vary by location. Please confirm the current price at the time of booking.
How to Book
Booking your urine for a dysmorphic RBCs test online is simple.
- Select the test on the Lupin Diagnostics website.
- Choose your city and preferred time slot.
- Opt for home sample collection by a certified phlebotomist, or visit your nearest Lupin Diagnostics centre.
- Receive your report via email or WhatsApp within the stipulated turnaround time.
Home Collection
Lupin Diagnostics offers urine for dysmorphic RBC tests and home collection across multiple cities. A trained phlebotomist will visit your home, provide a sterile container, and guide you through the midstream collection method. All samples are processed in NABL-accredited laboratories, and your report is delivered digitally.
Frequently Asked Questions
Dysmorphic RBCs are abnormally shaped red blood cells found in urine. When blood cells pass through damaged kidney filters (glomeruli), the physical and osmotic stress changes their shape. Detecting these misshapen cells helps doctors determine whether bleeding is coming from the kidneys or from the lower urinary tract.
If you have blood in the urine, your doctor needs to find out where it is coming from. The presence of dysmorphic RBCs points to a kidney filter problem, while normal-shaped RBCs suggest a cause in the bladder, urethra, or prostate. This distinction helps avoid unnecessary procedures and guides the next steps in care.
Dysmorphic RBCs are irregularly shaped and indicate bleeding from the glomeruli (kidney filters). Isomorphic RBCs are normal in shape and suggest that bleeding is from a non-kidney source, such as the bladder, urethra, or prostate. The ratio of these two types in the urine sample is a key part of the result.
Use the clean-catch midstream method. Clean the genital area, begin urinating into the toilet, and then collect the middle portion of the stream in the sterile container provided. Seal and label the container, and hand it over as soon as possible for accurate assessment.
No, fasting is not needed. You can eat and drink as normal before providing the sample. However, do inform your doctor about any medications you are taking, as some can affect the urine.
A dysmorphic red blood cell detection test result showing 25% or more dysmorphic RBCs, or 5% or more acanthocytes, suggests that bleeding is coming from the kidney's filtering units. This may indicate conditions such as glomerulonephritis or IgA nephropathy. Your doctor will advise on any further tests, such as kidney function tests, needed to confirm the diagnosis.
Yes, home sample collection is available. A trained phlebotomist will visit your home and provide you with a sterile container along with clear instructions for collecting a midstream urine sample. The sample is then transported to a Lupin Diagnostics NABL-accredited laboratory for analysis.
Urine for Dysmorphic RBCs Test: Booking, Price, and Results
