How to Improve Your Urine Epithelial Cells (Non-Renal) Naturally: Causes, Retest Tips, and Next Steps
Hydrate steadily, avoid hard workouts, and use a clean-catch sample to lower urine epithelial cells naturally—then retest at Quest, no referral needed.
To improve non-renal urine epithelial cells, focus on sample quality first: steady hydration, a true clean-catch midstream collection, and avoiding heavy exercise right before testing. High counts often reflect contamination from skin or the genital tract, not kidney damage. When you pinpoint the driver, the fix becomes straightforward. Because one urinalysis can be thrown off by timing, menstruation, or collection technique, use Vitals Vault and PocketMD to sanity-check your result and plan a clean retest.
What Raises Non-Renal Urine Epithelial Cells?
Contaminated clean-catch technique
This happens when skin or genital cells get into the cup during collection. It can inflate epithelial cells even if your bladder is fine. Treat it as a sampling problem and plan a careful midstream retest.
Menstruation or vaginal discharge
Blood and shedding tissue can mix into urine and raise epithelial cells. The result may look “abnormal” without reflecting a urinary problem. If you can, test 2–3 days after bleeding ends.
Recent sex or friction irritation
Sex, tight clothing, or prolonged cycling can irritate the urethral opening and nearby skin. That irritation increases shedding of surface cells into the sample. A short break and a gentler collection often lowers the count.
Dehydration concentrating the sample
When you are under-hydrated, urine becomes more concentrated and sediment is easier to detect. That can make epithelial cells look higher than they would on a normal day. It also commonly raises specific gravity at the same time.
Urinary tract inflammation or infection
A UTI or irritation can increase cell turnover in the urinary tract. You may also see symptoms, positive leukocyte esterase, nitrites, or more white blood cells. If you feel unwell, address symptoms promptly rather than just retesting.
How to Improve Non-Renal Urine Epithelial Cells Naturally
Use a true clean-catch midstream sample
Wash hands, clean the area, start urinating, then collect midstream without touching the inside of the cup. This reduces skin and vaginal cell carryover that drives “non-renal” epithelial cells. If your job screening is strict, ask for wipes and clear instructions.
Hydrate steadily for 24 hours
Aim for pale-yellow urine and spread fluids across the day, not a big chug right before the test. Better hydration lowers concentration and can reduce visible sediment. Avoid overhydrating to the point your urine turns completely clear.
Avoid hard workouts for 24–48 hours
Skip long runs, heavy lifting, or intense cycling the day before your urinalysis. Exercise can cause transient urinary irritation and more cellular debris in the sample. Retest after a normal recovery day for a cleaner baseline.
Time testing around your cycle naturally
If you menstruate, schedule the sample when bleeding has fully stopped and discharge is minimal. This simple timing change can drop epithelial cells without any medication. If timing is impossible, note it on the lab form.
Reduce irritants: alcohol and harsh soaps
For one week, cut alcohol and avoid fragranced washes or douches that can irritate tissue. Less irritation often means less shedding into urine. If burning or urgency persists, do not rely on lifestyle alone—get evaluated.
Tests That Help Explain Urine Epithelial Cells
Urine White Blood Cells (WBC)
Urine WBCs reflect inflammation or infection in the urinary tract. If epithelial cells are high with elevated WBCs or leukocyte esterase, contamination is less likely and a UTI becomes more plausible. Included in Vitals Vault Essential urinalysis add-on.
Learn moreUrine Red Blood Cells (RBC)
Urine RBCs help separate simple contamination from irritation, stones, or exercise-related hematuria. If RBCs rise after intense training, rest and retest before you panic. Included in Vitals Vault Essential urinalysis add-on.
Learn moreUrine Specific Gravity
Specific gravity shows how concentrated your urine is, which affects how “busy” the sediment looks. High specific gravity plus high epithelial cells often points to dehydration or timing rather than disease. Included in Vitals Vault Essential urinalysis add-on.
Learn moreLab testing
Retest a urinalysis with urine WBC/RBC and specific gravity alongside epithelial cells
starting from $99 panel with 100+ tests, one visit
No referral needed
About 1 week
Schedule online — results typically within a week
Clear next steps
Guidance included, with follow-up care available
HSA / FSA
Eligible for pre-tax health spending accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I improve my urine epithelial cells naturally?
Often, yes—because many high non-renal epithelial cell results come from contamination or irritation. Hydrate normally, avoid intense exercise, and use a strict clean-catch midstream sample. Retest when you can control timing and collection.
Are non-renal epithelial cells the same as kidney damage?
No. “Non-renal” epithelial cells usually come from the urethra, skin, or genital tract, not the kidney tubules. If kidney injury is a concern, you would look for other findings like protein, casts, or abnormal creatinine.
How long does it take to improve urine epithelial cells naturally?
If the cause is collection technique, it can improve on the very next sample. If irritation or a UTI is involved, it may take several days to a couple of weeks after the trigger is removed or treated. Retest after 7–14 days on a normal week.
Should I fast before a urine test for epithelial cells?
Fasting is not required for epithelial cells on a standard urinalysis. What matters more is hydration, timing around menstruation, and clean-catch technique. If your screening includes urine glucose or ketones, follow the lab’s instructions.
When should I worry about high urine epithelial cells?
Worry more when high epithelial cells come with symptoms (burning, urgency, fever) or other abnormal markers like high WBCs, nitrites, or blood. In that case, do not just “prep better”—seek clinical evaluation and then retest.
