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Urinary casts - Results

Alternative Names

Hyaline casts; Granular casts; Renal tubular epithelial casts; Waxy casts; Casts in the urine; Fatty casts; Red blood cell casts; White blood cell casts

Normal Values:

There are different types of casts. The presence of a few hyaline casts is normal.

What abnormal results mean:

Abnormal results may include:

  • Fatty casts are seen in people who have lipids in urine, usually as a complication of nephrotic syndrome.
  • Granular casts are a sign of underlying kidney disease. However, they are nonspecific and may be found in people with many different kidney disorders.
  • Hyaline casts are usually caused by dehydration, exercise, or diuretic medicines.
  • Red blood cell casts are a sign of bleeding into the kidney tubule. They are seen in many diseases affecting the glomerulus, including IgA nephropathy, lupus nephritis, Goodpasture syndrome, and Wegener's granulomatosis.
  • Renal tubular epithelial cell casts reflect damage to the tubules. They are seen in renal tubular necrosis, viral disease (such as CMV nephritis), and transplant rejection.
  • Waxy casts are associated with advanced kidney disease and chronic kidney failure.
  • White blood cell (WBC) casts are more common in interstitial cell kidney diseases such as interstitial inflammation, pyelonephritis, and parenchymal infection.

This test may also show:

  • Reviewed last on: 10/22/2007
  • Robert Mushnick, M.D., Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Nephrology, SUNY Downstate Health Center, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.