How to Improve Your Urine Epithelial Cells (Renal) Naturally: Causes, Retest Tips, and Next Steps
Use a clean-catch sample, hydrate normally, and avoid hard workouts to lower renal epithelial cells in urine—then retest at Quest, no referral needed.
To improve renal epithelial cells in your urine, start by ruling out sample contamination, dehydration, and short-term kidney irritation from intense exercise or illness. Once you know which driver fits you, the fix is usually straightforward and you can retest with more confidence. A single urinalysis can be noisy, especially after a screening for school or work. PocketMD and Vitals Vault can help you interpret your exact pattern and plan a clean retest.
What Raises Renal Epithelial Cells In Urine?
Contaminated “dirty catch” sample
Skin cells and genital tract cells can wash into the cup if the sample is not midstream. That can inflate epithelial cell counts and make the result look kidney-related when it is not. A clean-catch redo often normalizes it.
Menstruation or vaginal discharge
Blood and shedding cells around your period can mix with urine even if you feel fine. That can raise epithelial cells and sometimes trigger leukocytes on the dipstick. If timing allows, test at least 3 days after bleeding stops.
Dehydration and concentrated urine
When you are under-hydrated, urine becomes more concentrated and irritates the urinary tract lining. That can increase cell shedding and make sediment look “busy” on microscopy. It also raises specific gravity, which is a clue.
Hard exercise or heat stress
Long runs, heavy lifting, or sauna sessions can temporarily stress kidney tubules and concentrate urine. You may see more renal epithelial cells, protein, or blood for a day or two. This is usually short-lived if you rest and rehydrate.
UTI or kidney inflammation
Infection or inflammation can cause more cells to slough off from the urinary tract, including renal tubular cells. If renal epithelial cells rise with nitrite, leukocytes, fever, flank pain, or worsening fatigue, it deserves prompt medical evaluation.
How to Improve Renal Epithelial Cells Naturally
Do a true midstream clean-catch
Wash hands, clean the area, start urinating, then collect midstream without touching the cup to skin. This naturally reduces contamination that mimics kidney cell shedding. If your first test was at a screening site, a careful redo is often the biggest lever.
Hydrate normally for 24–48 hours
Aim for pale-yellow urine and avoid “catch-up” chugging right before the test. Normal hydration lowers urine concentration and can reduce irritation-related epithelial shedding. Keep caffeine and alcohol modest the day before.
Avoid intense workouts for 48 hours
Skip long endurance sessions, heavy lifting to failure, and heat exposure for two days before retesting. This naturally reduces transient kidney stress that can raise renal epithelial cells, protein, or blood. Light walking is fine.
Time your test away from menstruation
If you menstruate, schedule the sample at least 3 days after bleeding ends and avoid intravaginal products for 24 hours. This lowers the chance that non-urinary cells drive the count. If you cannot delay, note cycle timing on the lab form.
Treat symptoms fast, then retest
If you have burning, urgency, fever, or flank pain, get evaluated rather than trying to “push through” with home remedies. Clearing a UTI or addressing inflammation is what brings renal epithelial cells down when infection is the driver. Retest 1–2 weeks after symptoms resolve.
Tests That Explain Renal Epithelial Cells
Urinalysis With Microscopy
This confirms whether epithelial cells are truly renal tubular versus squamous contamination, and it checks for casts, blood, and crystals. If renal epithelial cells are high, microscopy helps separate “collection issue” from kidney irritation. Included in Vitals Vault Essential and Urinalysis add-ons.
Learn moreUrine Albumin-to-Creatinine Ratio (uACR)
uACR screens for albumin leakage that can accompany kidney stress even when you feel fine. If renal epithelial cells are elevated with a high uACR, you have a stronger reason to follow up and monitor trends. Available in Vitals Vault Essential and Kidney add-ons.
Learn moreUrine Culture (If Symptomatic)
A culture identifies bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity when dipstick or symptoms suggest infection. If renal epithelial cells rise alongside leukocytes or nitrite, a culture can prevent missed or undertreated UTI. Orderable as a targeted add-on through Vitals Vault.
Learn moreLab testing
Retest urinalysis with urine protein, microalbumin, and leukocytes alongside renal 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 renal epithelial cells in urine naturally?
Often, yes—especially when the driver is contamination, dehydration, or recent intense exercise. Clean-catch technique, normal hydration, and a 48-hour workout break can normalize results. If you have UTI symptoms, get checked rather than self-treating.
How long does it take to improve renal epithelial cells naturally?
If the cause is collection technique or dehydration, you may see improvement on the next test within 1–3 days. After hard exercise, give it 48 hours of rest and normal fluids. After infection, retest 1–2 weeks after symptoms resolve.
Are renal epithelial cells the same as squamous epithelial cells?
No. Squamous epithelial cells usually mean skin or vaginal contamination, while renal epithelial cells suggest shedding from kidney tubules. Ask for “microscopy” details on the report so you know which type was seen. Retest with a clean-catch sample.
Should I fast before a urine test for epithelial cells?
Fasting is not usually required for epithelial cells on urinalysis. What matters more is a clean midstream sample and avoiding heavy exercise beforehand. If your urine test is paired with bloodwork, follow the blood test instructions.
When should I worry about renal epithelial cells in urine?
Worry more when renal epithelial cells come with protein, blood, casts, rising creatinine, fever, flank pain, or swelling. That pattern can signal kidney inflammation or injury. Arrange prompt medical follow-up and bring your full urinalysis report.
