Urinalysis
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Urine screening tests (routine urinalysis, urine chemistry, and urine microbiology) may be done to help find the cause for many types of symptoms.A routine urinalysis usually includes the following tests:
- Color: Many factors affect urine color, including fluid balance, diet, medications and disease.
- Clarity: Urine is normally clear. This test determines the cloudiness of urine, also called opacity or turbidity. Bacteria, blood, sperm, crystals or mucus can make urine appear cloudy.
- Odor: Urine usually does not smell very strong but has a slightly "nutty" (aromatic) odor. Some diseases can cause a change in the normal odor of urine. For example, an infection with E. coli bacteria can cause a foul odor, while diabetes or starvation can cause a sweet, fruity odor.
- Specific gravity: This measures the amount of substances dissolved in the urine. It also indicates how well the kidneys are able to adjust the amount of water in urine. The higher the specific gravity, the more solid material is dissolved in the urine.
- pH: The pH is a measure of how acidic or alkaline (basic) the urine is. Sometimes the pH of urine may be adjusted by certain types of treatment to keep urine either acidic or alkaline to prevent formation of certain types of kidney stones.
- Protein: Protein is normally not detected in the urine. Some diseases, especially kidney disease, may also cause protein in the urine.
- Glucose: Glucose is the type of sugar usually found in blood. Normally there is very little or no glucose in urine. However, when the blood sugar level is very high, as in uncontrolled diabetes, it spills over into the urine. Glucose can also be present in urine when the kidneys are damaged or diseased.
- Nitrites: Bacteria that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI) produce an enzyme that converts urinary nitrates to nitrites. The presence of nitrites in urine indicates a UTI.
- Leukocyte esterase (WBC esterase): Leukocyte esterase detects leukocytes (white blood cells [WBCs]) in the urine. The presence of WBCs in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection.
- Ketones: When fat is broken down for energy, the body produces by-products called ketones (or ketone bodies) and releases them into the urine. Large amounts of ketones in the urine may signal a dangerous condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. A diet low in sugars and starches (carbohydrates), starvation or prolonged vomiting may also cause ketones in the urine.
- Microscopic analysis: : In this test, urine is spun in a centrifuge so the solid materials (sediment) settle out. The sediment is spread on a slide and examined under a microscope. Types of materials that may be found include:
- Red or white blood cells: Normally blood cells are not found in urine. Inflammation, disease, or injury to the kidneys, ureters, bladder or urethra can cause blood in urine. White blood cells are often a sign of infection, cancer or kidney disease.
- Casts: Some types of kidney disease can cause plugs of material (called casts) to form in tiny tubes in the kidneys. The casts can then get flushed out into the urine. Casts can be made of different types of material, such as red or white blood cells, waxy or fatty substances, or protein. The type of cast can provide clues about the type of kidney disease that may be present.
- Crystals: Healthy people often have only a few crystals in their urine. However, a large number of crystals, or the presence of certain types of crystals, may indicate kidney stones or a problem with how the body is using food (metabolism).
- Bacteria, yeast cells or parasites: Normally there are no bacteria, yeast cells or parasites in urine. Their presence can indicate an infection.
- Protein
- Creatinine
- Sodium
- Chloride
- Glucose
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Calcium
- Magnesium
- Amylase
- Urea Nitrogen
- Uric Acid/Creatinine Ratio
- Urinary Clearance Ratio
- Urine Protein /Creatinine Ratio
- Urine Cortisol/ Creatinine Ratio
- Urine Calculi Analysis
- Culture
- Colony count
- Sensitivity