Urinalysis is a routine test that can diagnose diseases, such as diabetes or kidney failure, before symptoms appear. Technicians examine the color, clarity, and substances in the urine to determine if further testing is needed. Abnormal results don’t always indicate the presence of disease, and doctors will review any abnormal results at a follow-up visit.
A urinalysis is a routine screening that your doctor may order as part of a physical exam or as a test to diagnose certain diseases. In some diseases, such as diabetes or kidney failure, some substances appear in the urine long before patients show symptoms. Interpreting urinalysis results involves looking at the levels of substances in the urine and comparing them to the average levels found in that of a healthy individual.
When lab technicians receive urine samples for analysis, they start by looking at the color and clarity of the samples. While healthy urine is usually very pale yellow or colorless, food and other medications can alter its color. If your urine shows as cloudy on your urinalysis results, it could indicate the presence of bacteria or white blood cells. Technicians use color and transparency as a guide to determine if further testing is needed.
The list of substances found in urine can tell you a lot about your body. Healthy urine is composed primarily of urea, chloride, sodium, potassium and creatinine, in that order. It should not contain protein, ketones, white blood cells or measurable amounts of nitrates. If your urinalysis results show any of these substances, your doctor may order further tests to determine the exact cause. Normally, healthy urine does not contain glucose, except occasionally during pregnancy, and its presence is a strong indicator of diabetes.
Your urinalysis results will list the specific gravity of your urine, which uses a special scale called a calibrated refractometer to measure the amount of dissolved materials in your urine. Normal results range between 1.010 and 1.020 on the scale. Lower numbers may indicate over-hydration or kidney problems. Dehydration, infection, or too much salt in the diet can cause higher numbers.
A urinalysis also measures the pH balance of the urine to determine its acidity. Healthy urine ranges between 6.5 and 7.25 on the acid-base scale. A low pH level on your urinalysis results indicates more acidic urine than normal, which can be the result of eating spicy and acidic foods. A high pH balance can be caused by taking antacids, but it can also indicate an increased susceptibility to infections.
Healthy urine is sterile, which means it doesn’t contain any bacteria or microorganisms. If an infection is suspected, lab technicians examine the urine under a microscope. The presence of bacteria on your urinalysis results usually indicates an infection. In women, bacteria from the vagina can enter a urine sample if careful steps are not taken to ensure a clean sample.
Typically, your doctor will review any abnormal urinalysis results at a follow-up visit. If you notice any abnormalities that you think your doctor missed, or if you have any additional questions, be sure to discuss them with your doctor. It’s important to remember, thought, that abnormal results don’t always indicate the presence of the disease. Many factors can interfere with the test, including the use of herbs and medications or the consumption of certain foods and beverages prior to the test.
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