Urine cytology is a test that looks for abnormalities of the cells that are present in your urine. Sometimes, foods you eat can change the results of your test. Ingestion of vitamin C, for example, might skew the results of a urine cytology test. Always follow your doctor's advice about food and drink before offering a urine sample to produce the most accurate results possible.
Urine Cytology
A urine cytology test is typically ordered to diagnose cancers that occur in your urinary tract. This includes bladder and urethra cancers. If the results indicate the presence of abnormal cells, your doctor might do more tests to accurately diagnose cancer. You will provide the urine sample after your first morning urination because cells that were contained in your bladder overnight are not as viable as those collected after just a short time in the bladder.
Vitamin C and Urine Tests
In some cases, vitamin C can skew the results of a urine cytology test. If you have cancer in your urinary tract, it might cause the appearance of red blood cells in your urine. A high intake of vitamin C can produce a false negative, which is potentially harmful to your health because your doctor likely won't continue with a course of treatment. If you have other symptoms of urinary tract cancer, your physician might repeat the test or subject your urine sample to more scrutiny.
Urine Preservation
When undergoing urine cytology, you likely will be advised to discard your first morning urine. However, research reported the in the journal, "Acta Cytologica" in 1981 found that taking 1 milligram of vitamin C before bed helped preserve the viability of the cells being examined with urine cytology. While the study is old, small amounts of vitamin C might be helpful in preserving cells before and after giving a urine sample, which improves the odds of getting an accurate result. However, because vitamin C can produce false negatives when testing for urinary tract cancers, talk with your doctor about whether taking vitamin C is recommended.
Vitamin C
If your doctor advises cutting back on vitamin C before getting a urine cytology test, you will need to reduce your intake from both supplements and food. Read the label on any vitamins you take and eliminate them from your diet if they contain vitamin C. Foods high in vitamin C include citrus fruits, bell peppers, kiwis, berries, tomatoes, potatoes, melons, mangoes and leafy green vegetables. Your doctor will tell you how long to reduce your intake. However, vitamin C is important for many aspects of your health, so long-term avoidance is not typically recommended.
