Private Urine Testing – Microscopy and Culture

A microscopy and culture urine test (often called urine MCS or urine culture & sensitivity) is a common lab test used mainly to detect urinary tract infections (UTIs).

What the test includes:
 

Urine Microscopy

The urine sample is examined under a microscope to look for:

• White blood cells (pus cells): suggest infection or inflammation
• Red blood cells: may indicate infection, stones, or other urinary issues
• Bacteria: presence suggests infection
• Epithelial cells, casts, crystals: can give clues to contamination or kidney problems

Urine Culture

• The urine is placed on special media to see if bacteria grow
• Identifies the exact organism causing infection (e.g., E. coli)

Sensitivity (Antibiotic Sensitivity Test)

• Tests which antibiotics are effective against the bacteria
• Helps doctors choose the right antibiotic

Why it’s done

• Symptoms of UTI (burning urination, frequent urination, urgency)
• Fever with suspected urinary source
• Recurrent UTIs
• Before or during pregnancy
• Not responding to initial antibiotics

How to prepare / give sample

• Usually a midstream clean-catch urine sample
• Clean the genital area before collecting
• First urine of the day is often preferred (unless told otherwise)

Typical results

• Normal: No bacterial growth, few, or no white blood cells
• Infection: Significant bacterial growth + increased white blood cells
• Contamination: Mixed bacterial growth, many epithelial cells

How long results take

• Microscopy: 24 hours
• Culture & sensitivity: 24–48 hours

At MUMS our Health Care Assistants, Nurses, and Private GPs – test urine.

We do this to find and identify germs that can cause urine infections, often referred to as urinary tract infections or UTIs.

Bacteria - which cause infections in the urine - can enter the urinary tract through the urethra. This bacteria grows rapidly and an infection develops.

The cost of a urine microscopy and culture test is £90.00

You can bring a sample in any day if you think you may have an infection. Our opening hours are 8am till 5pm. Our HCA will complete the Laboratory Form for you.

If the test result is abnormal, you will need a consultation with the GP to discuss the result which costs £120.00

If you choose to have your urine tested within a GP Consultation this will cost £120.00 plus the cost of the test and your follow up and explanation of the results if free of charge and can be dealt with by a phone call.

If you wish to have the test on its own, you will need a Health Care Assistant appointment which costs £35.00. The total costs for Test and appointment will be £125.00

We can also test the urine on site before we send it to the lab to analyse.

The test looks for an infection and specifies which antibiotics the bacteria/infection is either resistant to or sensitive to – which enables the correct antibiotics to be prescribed.

You may wish to consult with our Consultant Urologist or Consultant Gynaecologist if you are experiencing recurrent urine infections.

You can book online or call us on 0121 704 2669 – or email us administrator@mums.me.uk

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