The TNTC and HPF results are important numbers that describe the condition of a urinalysis sample. A urinalysis is used to detect abnormalities and changes in urine, which may or may not be significant. Some conditions can cause a high level of white blood cells or red blood cells in the urine even when there isn't any infection. For example, some types of bladder cancer have been associated with hematuria and/or pyuria even before symptoms begin. However, patients should always discuss their medical history with their doctor before assuming these results are normal for them or that no further testing is necessary.
Urinalysis is a diagnostic tool that can be used to detect abnormalities and changes in urine. Urinalysis is one of the most common tests ordered by doctors, as it can be used to diagnose many conditions. It may also be ordered to monitor treatment of certain conditions, such as kidney disease or urinary tract infections (UTIs).
If you have a urinalysis report, this is what it means:
Physical appearance includes the color, clarity, and volume of the sample. The color of your urine can be one of many shades from yellow to red. The clarity may be clear, cloudy or turbid. The volume is usually less than 3.5 ounces (100 milliliters).
You'll often see the term "normal" used in medical and lab reports. In clinical medicine, the term "normal" usually refers to results within normal limits.
Normal ranges are set by your lab and can vary from one lab location to another, so it's important to get a copy of your urinalysis report before you go to the doctor's office or hospital for an appointment. If your doctor says something about being outside of normal range, ask for a list of acceptable values for comparison purposes so that you can be sure what he or she means by this statement.
If a urinalysis result shows an abnormally high number of white blood cells, it may be necessary to report this value using the TNTC (too numerous to count) or HPF (high power field) acronym. This is done when the lab technician cannot count the cells in the sample because they are too numerous.
As you may know, some samples need to be examined at different magnifications. If a technician is looking at WBCs under high magnification, she will not be able to count them so she will report "TNTC." This means that there are more white blood cells than can be counted under high magnification.
Hematuria is defined as the presence of red blood cells in urine. The urine may be slightly to heavily cloudy, bloody or brownish-red in color. Hematuria can be caused by many different factors, ranging from mild irritation to severe injury of the urinary tract.
The most common causes of hematuria are:
A urinalysis is a test that checks for disease in the urine. One of the most common tests performed on a urinalysis is to determine if you have pyuria, or an excessive number of white blood cells in your urine. White blood cells are part of your immune system and are often present when your body is fighting off an infection or inflammation.
The presence of pyuria does not necessarily mean that you have an infection; however, it can be indicative of infections such as urinary tract infections (UTIs) and other bacterial or fungal infections that cause inflammation in the urethra or bladder. If a UTI is left untreated, it may lead to kidney damage and even sepsis (a life-threatening complication).
White blood cells are part of your immune system, and they help fight infections. A high number of white blood cells in urine may be an indication of a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney disease, or prostate cancer. If you are experiencing symptoms such as burning during urination and frequent urination, it is important to see a doctor right away to get treatment.
If you have received a test result that shows elevated white blood cell counts, it is important to follow up with your doctor. This could be due to an infection or inflammation, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. Your doctor will recommend treatment options based on the specific cause and severity of your condition.