: Lipid Droplets, Urine, Microscopic Examination
: A microscopic examination of a urine sample that looks for lipid droplets, which are tiny fat-containing particles that can appear in urine under certain conditions.
[": This test checks urine under a microscope for fat droplets that may indicate kidney or metabolic issues."]
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 99883-1
- Short code
- Lipid droplets # UrnS Comp Assist
- Synonyms
- Lipid droplets # UrnS Comp Assist
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Sterile urine container
- Units
- N/A
- Fasting
- true
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 18–65 years
- Method
- computer-assisted
- Specimen volume
- 10 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2h, Refrigerated: 24h, Frozen: 7d
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 4–24 hours
- Order
- routine
: What This Test Measures
: A urine specimen is examined under a microscope to see whether lipid droplets are present. Lipid droplets are small droplets of fat that can sometimes be seen in urine. The test is a visual, qualitative observation rather than a precise chemical measurement.
: Why It May Be Ordered
: Your clinician may order this test when there are signs of kidney disease, especially nephrotic syndrome, or when fat in the urine (sometimes called lipiduria) is suspected. It may be part of a broader urine microscopy evaluation.
: How the Sample Is Collected
: A routine urine sample is collected, typically a clean-catch midstream specimen. The sample is then examined in the laboratory under a microscope by a trained technologist.
: What Results Can Mean
: The presence or absence of lipid droplets is reported. Finding them may support further investigation of kidney or metabolic conditions, but results are interpreted alongside other urine and blood tests and your symptoms. This page does not provide numeric reference ranges, as these vary by laboratory.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
: Lipid droplets in urine can be associated with conditions that cause excess fat to pass into the urine, such as nephrotic syndrome, and are evaluated together with other clinical findings. The test is a supportive observation, not a stand-alone diagnosis, and should be interpreted by your healthcare provider in the context of your full evaluation.
Short name
: Urine Lipid Droplets
Frequently asked questions
: Does finding lipid droplets in my urine mean I have kidney disease?
: Is this a blood test or a urine test?
: Do I need to fast or prepare for this test?
Sources
- 1
- 2Lab Tests OnlineSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy