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Results
By Mayo Clinic staffFor urinalysis, your urine sample will be evaluated in three ways.
Visual exam
A laboratory technician will examine the urine's appearance. Urine is typically clear. Cloudiness or unusual odor may indicate a problem. Blood in the urine may make it look red or brown. A cloudy appearance may indicate an infection.
Dipstick test
A dipstick — a thin, plastic stick with strips of chemicals on it — is placed in the urine to detect abnormalities. The chemical strips change color if certain substances are present or if their levels are above normal. A dipstick test checks for the following:
- Acidity (pH). The pH level indicates the amount of acid in urine. Abnormal pH levels may indicate a kidney or urinary tract disorder.
- Concentration. A measure of concentration, or specific gravity, shows how concentrated particles are in your urine. Higher than normal concentration often is a result of dehydration, rather than another underlying medical condition. But, it may indicate a kidney disorder.
- Protein. Urine protein levels are normally low and aren't detected by a dipstick test. Small increases in protein usually aren't a cause for concern. Larger amounts of protein in the urine may indicate a kidney problem.
- Sugar. Normally the amount of sugar (glucose) in urine is too low to be detected. Any detection of sugar on this test usually calls for follow-up testing for diabetes.
- Ketones. As with sugar, any amount of ketones detected in your urine could be a sign of diabetes and requires follow-up testing.
- Bilirubin. Bilirubin is a product of red blood cell breakdown. Normally, bilirubin is carried in the blood and passes into your liver, where it's removed and becomes part of bile. Bilirubin in your urine may indicate liver damage or disease.
- Evidence of infection. Nitrites and leukocyte esterase are produced as a result of an infection. If either nitrites or leukocyte esterase — a product of white blood cells — is detected in your urine, it may be a sign of a urinary tract infection.
- Blood. The dipstick test can identify if red blood cells or other components of blood, such as hemoglobin or myoglobin, are present in your urine. Blood in your urine requires additional testing, as it may be a sign of kidney damage, kidney stones, infection, blood disorders or bladder cancer, among other disorders.
Microscopic exam
Several drops of the urine are examined with a microscope. If any of the following are observed in above-average levels, additional testing may be necessary:
- White blood cells (leukocytes) may be a sign of an infection.
- Red blood cells (erythrocytes) may be a sign of kidney disorders, blood disorders or another underlying medical condition, such as bladder cancer.
- Epithelial cells — cells that line your hollow organs and form your skin — in your urine may be a sign of a tumor. But, more often, they indicate that the urine sample was contaminated during the test, and a new sample is needed.
- Bacteria or yeasts may indicate an infection.
- Casts — tube-shaped proteins — may form as a result of kidney disorders.
- Crystals that form from chemicals in urine may be a sign of kidney stones.
Urinalysis is not a test that provides a definitive diagnosis. Depending on the reason your doctor recommended this test, abnormal results may or may not require follow-up. Your doctor may need to evaluate the results along with those of other tests, or additional tests may be necessary to determine next steps.
For example, if you are otherwise healthy and have no signs or symptoms of illness, results slightly above normal on a urinalysis may not be a cause for concern and follow-up may not be needed. However, if you've been diagnosed with kidney or urinary tract disease, elevated levels may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.
For specifics about what your urinalysis results mean, talk to your doctor.
- Urinalysis. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/urinalysis/test.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- What you need to know about urinalysis. National Kidney Foundation. http://www.kidney.org/atoz/pdf/urinalysis.pdf. Accessed Dec. 12, 2008.
- Stoller ML, et al. Urologic Disorders. In: McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2009. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=11917&searchStr=urinalysis. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Kim HL, et al. Urology. In: Brunicardi FC, et al. Schwartz's Principles of Surgery. 8th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=819033&searchStr=urinalysis. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Urine tests. KidsHealth. http://kidshealth.org/parent/general/sick/labtest7.html. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- Laboratory diagnosis: Urine studies. In: Gomella LG, et al. Clinician's Pocket Reference. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Companies; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=11917&searchStr=urinalysis. Accessed Dec. 17, 2008.
- hCG. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hcg/multiprint.html. Accessed Dec. 23, 2008.
- Testing for drugs of abuse. Lab Tests Online. http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/drug_abuse/glance.html. Accessed Dec. 23, 2008.
