What does granular casts in urine mean?
Granular casts are a sign of many types of kidney diseases. Red blood cell casts mean there is a microscopic amount of bleeding from the kidney. They are seen in many kidney diseases. Renal tubular epithelial cell casts reflect damage to tubule cells in the kidney.
How do granular casts form?
Granular casts are generally the result of degeneration of cells in cellular casts [I3]. Their significance lies with the cast from which they were formed. Granular casts may also be the result of direct ag- gregation of serum proteins and other sub- stances into a matrix of Tamm-Horsfall mucoprotein.
Is it normal to have casts in urine?
Normally, the presence of casts in the urine is considered to be an unusual finding. However, small amounts of hyaline casts (between 0–2 casts per low power field of the microscope) may be detected in the urine of healthy individuals without necessarily indicating a serious condition like kidney disease.
What does it mean if there is sediment in urine?
The most common cause of sediment in the urine is a urinary tract infection. In this case, the urine will contain cells, especially white blood cells, or pus. This type of sediment typically looks cloudy instead of flaky. The urine may have an odor.
Why are there fatty casts in nephrotic syndrome?
By use of a polarizing microscope, one can see oval fat bodies and also fatty casts. These point to the nephrotic syndrome. They occur because of glomerular filtration of lipoproteins; the tubular cells that endocytose these lipoproteins then fall off into the urine.
What is considered mild proteinuria?
Thus, a ratio of less than 0.2 is equivalent to 0.2 g of protein per day and is considered normal, a ratio of 3.5 is equivalent to 3.5 g of protein per day and is considered nephrotic-range (or heavy) proteinuria.
What causes uric acid crystals in urine?
Uric acid stones form when the levels of uric acid in the urine are too high, and/or the urine is too acidic on a regular basis. The formation of these types of stones can run in families. Inherited problems in how the body processes uric acid or protein in the diet can increase the acid in urine.
Which condition promotes the formation of casts in the urine?
The following factors promote the formation of casts in the kidney: Larger than normal amounts of plasma proteins entering the tubules. Decreased pH. Decreased urinary flow rate.
Is it good to have sediment in urine?
When to see your doctor. If you notice excess mucus in your urine, make an appointment to see your doctor. Some mucus is fine, but a lot may be a sign of an underlying health concern. Your doctor can determine if your symptoms are a result of something less serious and treatable, such as an infection.