Understand your urinary symptoms, near Cardiff
A comprehensive three-in-one urine test. Combines a full dipstick urinalysis, microscopic examination, and a bacterial culture that is added if a urinary tract infection is suspected. Useful for UTI investigation, recurrent urinary symptoms, blood in urine, and follow-up on kidney or bladder issues. Self-refer at our Penarth or Cowbridge clinics near Cardiff.
Three tests in one sample.
What is included for £86
- ✓Sample collection at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff
- ✓Full dipstick urinalysis: 7 chemical parameters
- ✓Microscopic examination for cells, casts and crystals
- ✓Reflex culture and pathogen identification if UTI is suspected
- ✓Plain-English report with all findings and reference ranges
- ✓Report emailed to you within approximately 72 hours
A proper look at your urinary tract
Home dipstick tests can flag a possible UTI, but they cannot tell you which bacteria are causing it, whether kidney tubules are involved, or which antibiotics will work. This test does all three in one visit: chemical dipstick, microscopic examination, and a bacterial culture with antibiotic sensitivities added when needed.
Comprehensive workup
Chemical dipstick, microscopy for cells and casts, and a full bacterial culture — three tests on the same sample.
Identify the organism
If a urinary tract infection is present, the culture identifies which bacteria are involved and which antibiotics will treat them.
A doctor if you want one
Prefer to talk it through? Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will go through your result and next steps.
You might consider this if
A urine microscopy and culture can be a helpful step in a range of situations.
Important safety note: if you have a fever, back or side pain, vomiting, blood clots in your urine, or feel very unwell, please seek urgent medical review — call 999, attend your nearest A&E, or call NHS 111 — rather than waiting for lab results. These can be signs of a kidney infection (pyelonephritis) or urinary sepsis that need immediate treatment.
Three tests, one sample
The dipstick urinalysis runs on every sample. Microscopy adds a look at what is in the urine under the lens. Culture is added when a UTI is suspected either from the dipstick or the microscopy.
Chemical dipstick (urinalysis) 7
Microscopy & culture 2
Your report gives each result with the standard reference range, plus any bacteria identified and the antibiotics they respond to.
From booking to answers, step by step
Book
Self-refer online or by phone. No GP letter needed. Same-week appointments at Penarth or Cowbridge.
Your appointment
Provide a midstream urine sample at the clinic. The visit takes about 10 to 15 minutes. No fasting needed. Please avoid drinking large amounts of fluid in the hour before, as very dilute urine can affect the results.
Your report
A plain-English report with your urinalysis, microscopy and (if performed) culture findings, emailed to you within approximately 72 hours.
Talk it through
Optional: book a private GP appointment to go through your result and, if needed, discuss treatment options.
Urine Microscopy & Culture
All inclusive. Urinalysis, microscopy, and culture in one sample.
- ✓Sample collection at Penarth or Cowbridge
- ✓Seven-parameter dipstick urinalysis
- ✓Microscopic examination for casts and cells
- ✓Reflex culture with antibiotic sensitivities if UTI suspected
- ✓Plain-English report emailed within approximately 72 hours
A £50 booking deposit secures your slot and comes off the total.
Common questions about urine microscopy & culture
How much is the urine microscopy and culture test?
£86 all inclusive. That covers sample collection, the full dipstick urinalysis, microscopic examination, reflex culture if indicated, and a plain-English report emailed to you. A £50 deposit secures your appointment and comes off the total.
What is actually included in this test?
Three things on the same sample: a seven-parameter chemical dipstick (glucose, ketones, pH, protein, red blood cells, urobilinogen, white blood cells); microscopic examination for cells, casts and crystals; and a bacterial culture with antibiotic sensitivities when a urinary tract infection is suspected.
When is the culture added?
Culture is added when the dipstick or the microscopy raises suspicion of a urinary tract infection — for example, positive nitrites, raised white blood cells, or bacteria seen on microscopy. If nothing points to a UTI, the culture step is not needed and the report will confirm that.
How is the sample collected?
At the clinic, you will provide a midstream urine sample in a sterile pot. "Midstream" means letting the first bit of urine pass, then catching the middle portion. It takes a couple of minutes and we will talk you through it. Doing it at the clinic keeps the sample fresh and reduces the chance of the result being affected by delay.
How quickly will I get my result?
Approximately 72 hours. Culture is unavoidably slower than most tests because bacteria need time to grow before they can be identified and tested against antibiotics — that step alone typically takes 24 to 48 hours. If you have severe or worsening symptoms while you wait, please seek urgent medical review rather than waiting for the report.
Do I need to fast or prepare?
No fasting is needed. Please avoid drinking large amounts of fluid in the hour before the appointment, as very dilute urine can affect the dipstick and microscopy results. Otherwise, no special preparation.
Should I stop antibiotics before the test?
Ideally the culture is taken before antibiotics are started, because antibiotics in your system can suppress bacterial growth and give a false-negative culture. If you have already started antibiotics, please tell us when you book and we will advise on timing. Never stop a prescribed course of antibiotics without your prescribing clinician's agreement.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. This is a self-refer test. Book online or call 029 2199 9300.
Where is the sample collected?
At our Penarth clinic (13 Washington Buildings, CF64 2AD) or our Cowbridge clinic (10 High Street, CF71 7AG). Both are a short drive from Cardiff with easy parking and private facilities on site.
Can this test be used for pregnancy or STI screening?
No. This is a urinary tract test, not a pregnancy test or an STI screen. Pregnancy testing and sexually transmitted infection screening use different tests — please call us and we can point you at the right one.
Can a doctor talk me through my result?
Yes. You can book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will go through your result, discuss treatment options if a UTI is confirmed, and plan any next steps.
Want a doctor to explain the result?
If your test shows a UTI, treatment usually means a targeted antibiotic based on the culture sensitivities. Book a private GP appointment and one of our doctors will talk you through your result and, if appropriate, prescribe or refer.
Book a GP appointmentTwo clinics, close to Cardiff
Penarth Clinic
13 Washington Buildings
Stanwell Road, Penarth
CF64 2AD
Mon to Thu 9:00 to 18:00
Fri 9:00 to 17:00
Sat 9:00 to 15:00
Cowbridge Clinic
Beauty Within
10 High Street, Cowbridge
CF71 7AG
By appointment. Please call for availability.
Get directionsPatients travel to us from Cardiff, Penarth, Cowbridge, Barry, Newport, Bridgend and across the Vale of Glamorgan.
Important: This test provides diagnostic information but is not a substitute for clinical assessment. If you have fever, back or side pain, vomiting, blood clots in your urine, or feel very unwell, please seek urgent medical review — call 999, attend A&E or call NHS 111 — rather than waiting for lab results. A kidney infection or urinary sepsis can develop quickly. A negative urine culture does not rule out all urinary tract problems; if symptoms persist, discuss with your GP. This test is not a pregnancy test or an STI screen — separate tests exist for those. We recommend discussing your result with your own GP, or booking a private GP appointment with us, before starting or changing any treatment. Lab values alone do not constitute medical advice.
Understand your urinary symptoms.
Self-refer for the urine microscopy and culture test: a full urinalysis, microscopic examination, and bacterial culture in one sample. £86 all inclusive at Penarth or Cowbridge, near Cardiff.