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.
Can granular casts be normal?
General interpretation. Casts are quantified for reporting as the number seen per low power field (10x objective) and classified as to type (e.g., waxy casts, 5-10/LPF). Casts in urine from normal individuals are few or none (and are usually hyaline or granular in nature).
Where are granular casts formed?
Casts are clusters of urinary sediment elements (red blood cells, white blood cells, fat bodies, etc.) wrapped in a protein matrix. Cast formation necessarily occurs in the kidney tubules, and the contents of the casts indicate the nature of normal or abnormal occurrences found in the kidney itself.
What is a granular cast?
gran·u·lar cast a relatively dark, dense urinary cast of coarsely or finely particulate cellular debris and other proteinaceous material, frequently seen in chronic renal disease but also in the recovery phase of acute renal failure. See also: waxy cast.
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.
How can I reduce protein in my urine?
Possible treatment includes:
- Changes to your diet. If high levels of protein are caused by kidney disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, your doctor will give you specific diet changes.
- Weight loss.
- Blood pressure medication.
- Diabetes medication.
- Dialysis.
What in the urine indicates kidney failure?
Having albumin in your urine (three positive results over three months or more) is a sign of kidney disease.
What causes cast in urine?
The presence of hyaline casts typically indicates a decreased or sluggish urine flow, which can be a result of strenuous exercise, diuretic medications, severe vomiting, or fever.
What is the difference between hyaline and granular casts?
Granular casts Their appearance is generally more cigar-shaped and of a higher refractive index than hyaline casts. While most often indicative of chronic renal disease, these casts, as with hyaline casts, can also be seen for a short time following strenuous exercise.
What is the cause of cast in urine?
Casts are the result of solidification of material (protein) in the lumen of the kidney tubules, more specifically in the nephron. Once formed, these molds (or casts) of the tubule are eliminated via the urine and may be seen in the urine sedi- ment.
What factors contribute to 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.
- Increased urine concentration.
Are urinary casts normal?
Where are casts formed?
Casts are cylindrical bodies formed either in the distal convoluted tubules or the collecting ducts of the kidney.