Urine FEME (Urinalysis): What It Tests, Results & Cost in Singapore

Urine FEME stands for Full Examination and Microscopic Evaluation. It is commonly used in Singapore and Malaysia to refer to urinalysis. The test has two parts: a chemical dipstick examination (testing pH, specific gravity, glucose, ketones, protein, blood, leukocytes, nitrites, bilirubin, and urobilinogen) and a microscopic evaluation (checking for red blood cells, white blood cells, bacteria, casts, crystals, and epithelial cells). UFEME is the same test.

Urine FEME screens for a wide range of conditions, including urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney disease, diabetes (through glucose and ketones), pregnancy-related conditions, liver disease (through bilirubin and urobilinogen), dehydration, and bladder problems. It is a common first-line test in primary care and is included in most general health screening packages in Singapore. Findings on FEME often guide further testing such as urine culture or blood tests.

A clean-catch midstream urine sample is preferred. Wash your hands, clean the genital area with the wipe provided (front-to-back for women, retract foreskin if applicable for men), pass a small amount of urine into the toilet, then collect the middle portion of the stream into the sterile container, and finish voiding into the toilet. Avoid menstrual blood contamination. Tell your doctor if you are taking any medications, vitamins, or supplements that may affect results, and do not stop prescribed medication unless advised.

The chemical dipstick part gives results within minutes. Microscopy may take longer depending on clinic or laboratory workflow, and our team will advise when your full result is expected. If a positive screen suggests infection, your doctor may also order a urine culture, which typically takes 24 to 48 hours.

Most FEME results are reported as positive, negative, or as a value within a range. Common findings include: leukocytes positive with nitrites positive may suggest a UTI; protein positive may suggest kidney involvement; glucose positive may suggest diabetes; blood positive may indicate bleeding from the kidney, ureter, bladder, or urethra; and ketones positive may occur in poorly controlled diabetes or prolonged fasting. Your doctor will interpret the full report alongside your symptoms, medical history, and any other test results.

An abnormal urine FEME result does not always mean you are unwell, and a single finding rarely makes a diagnosis on its own. Your doctor will consider the result alongside your symptoms, sample quality, hydration, medications, and any pre-existing conditions. Depending on the finding, the next step may be repeating the test, doing a urine culture, blood tests, kidney function tests, or imaging. Do not start or stop any medication based on the result without medical advice.

Urine FEME is a fast screening test that gives results within minutes (dipstick) to hours (microscopy). It detects signs of infection (such as leukocytes and nitrites) but does not identify the specific bacterium. A urine culture grows bacteria from the sample over 24 to 48 hours, identifies the specific organism, and tests antibiotic sensitivity. FEME is used for initial screening; urine culture is used to confirm an infection and help target treatment. They are often ordered together.

Yes. In pregnancy, urine testing may be used to check for protein, sugar, and signs of urinary tract infection as part of routine antenatal care. Urine FEME is also included in most general health screening packages in Singapore as a low-cost, broad screen for kidney, metabolic, and urinary conditions, alongside blood tests and other checks.

Urine FEME can show early clues, but it does not diagnose kidney disease or diabetes by itself. Persistent protein in the urine (proteinuria) may suggest early kidney involvement, especially in people with diabetes or high blood pressure. Glucose in the urine may suggest undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. FEME is a screening test, not a diagnostic one, so any abnormal finding usually leads to further tests such as a fasting blood glucose, HbA1c, or kidney function blood tests for confirmation.

Mediway Medical Centre offers urine FEME (urinalysis), urine culture, and GP review at our Clarke Quay clinic. We can arrange sample collection during your visit, send samples to a laboratory where needed, and follow up the results with you. See our urine culture test page for details on the related confirmatory test. Book a consultation through our online booking, WhatsApp, or call 6909 0190.