Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.
A urine sample is needed. Your health care provider will tell you what type of urine sample is needed. Two common methods of collecting urine are
24-hour urine collection
and
clean catch urine specimen
.
The sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined for the following:
PHYSICAL COLOR AND APPEARANCE
How the urine sample looks to the naked eye:
Is it clear or cloudy?
Is it pale, or dark yellow, or another color?
MICROSCOPIC APPEARANCE
The urine sample is examined under a microscope to:
Check if there are any cells, urine crystals,
urinary casts
, mucus, and other substances.
Identify any bacteria or other germs.
CHEMICAL APPEARANCE (
urine chemistry
)
A special strip (dipstick) is used to test for substances in the urine sample. The strip has pads of chemicals that change color when they come in contact with substances of interest.
Examples of specific urinalysis tests that may be done to check for problems include:
Red blood cell urine test
Glucose urine test
Protein urine test
Urine pH level test
Ketones urine test
Bilirubin urine test
Urine specific gravity test
Certain medicines change the color of urine, but this is not a sign of disease. Your provider may tell you to stop taking any medicines that can affect test results.
Medicines that can change your urine color include:
Chloroquine
Iron supplements
Levodopa
Nitrofurantoin
Phenazopyridine
Phenothiazine
Phenytoin
Riboflavin
Triamterene
The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.
A urinalysis may be done:
As part of a routine medical exam to screen for early signs of disease
If you have signs of
diabetes
or
kidney disease
, or to monitor you if you are being treated for these conditions
To check for
blood in the urine
To diagnose a
urinary tract infection
Normal urine varies in color from almost colorless to dark yellow. Some foods, such as beets and blackberries, may turn urine red.
Usually, glucose, ketones, protein, and bilirubin are not detectable in urine. The following are not normally found in urine:
Hemoglobin
Nitrites
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Abnormal results may mean you have an illness, such as:
Urinary tract infection
Kidney stones
Poorly controlled diabetes
Bladder
or
kidney cancer
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