Urinalysis

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Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

The urine can also be analyzed in the laboratory.

Gross and chemical exam (see also urine chemistry):

• Urine appearance and color (for example, clear, cloudy, turbid, layered; pale yellow, dark yellow, red, green, blue)
• Bilirubin - urine (a degradation product of hemoglobin )
• Glucose (a sugar) -- see glucose - urine
• Hemoglobin (an indication of hemolysis)
• Urine ketones (a by-product of fat metabolism and present in starvation and diabetes)
• Nitrite (an indication of urinary tract infection)
• Urine pH (the acidity or alkalinity of the urine)
• Urine protein
• Urine specific gravity (that is, how concentrated or dilute the urine is)
• Urobilinogen (a degradation product of bilirubin)

• Bacteria and other microorganisms (not normally present) or see urine culture (clean catch)
• Casts
• Crystals
• Fat
• Mucous
• Red blood cells (an indication of damage to the tubules)
• Renal tubular cells
• Transitional epithelial cells
• White blood cells (an indication of urinary tract infection)

Collect a urine sample. The first morning urine is the most concentrated, and it is more likely to show abnormalities. Some drugs and medications can affect the test. These will be monitored or discontinued. (See "special considerations".)

If the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary.

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

This may be done as a general screening to check for early signs of disease. It may also be used to monitor diabetes or kidney disease. It may be used to check for a urinary tract infection or blood in the urine.

Review Date: 05/17/2005
Reviewed By: Vishal Datta, M.D., Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, New York Methodist Hospital, Brooklyn, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.