Urine Analysis
A urine analysis (urinalysis) is a laboratory test used to assess health and detect conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes, dehydration, and liver disorders.
Components of Urinalysis
1. Physical Examination
- Color: Pale yellow to amber is normal.
- Appearance (clarity): Clear is normal; cloudy urine may indicate infection or crystals.
- Specific gravity: Measures urine concentration.
- Normal: 1.005–1.030
2. Chemical Examination (Dipstick Test)
| Parameter | Normal Result | Possible Significance if Abnormal |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.5–8.0 | Kidney stones, infection, metabolic disorders |
| Protein | Negative | Kidney disease, hypertension |
| Glucose | Negative | Diabetes mellitus |
| Ketones | Negative | Diabetes, starvation, dehydration |
| Blood | Negative | Infection, stones, trauma |
| Leukocyte esterase | Negative | Urinary tract infection |
| Nitrite | Negative | Bacterial infection |
| Bilirubin | Negative | Liver disease |
| Urobilinogen | 0.2–1.0 mg/dL | Liver disease, hemolysis |
3. Microscopic Examination
- Red blood cells (RBCs): 0–2 per high-power field (HPF)
- White blood cells (WBCs): 0–5 per HPF
- Epithelial cells: Few
- Casts: None or few hyaline casts
- Crystals: Usually absent or occasional
- Bacteria/yeast: Normally absent
Common Abnormal Findings
- Proteinuria: Kidney disease
- Hematuria (blood in urine): Stones, infection, kidney disease
- Pyuria (increased WBCs): Infection
- Glycosuria: Diabetes
- Ketones: Diabetic ketoacidosis, fasting
- Nitrite-positive urine: Bacterial UTI
If you have a specific urinalysis report, upload or type the results and I can help interpret them.
