Urine chemistry
Chemistry - urineUrine chemistry is a group of one or more tests done to check the chemical content of a urine sample.
How the Test is Performed
For this test, a clean catch (midstream) urine sample is needed.
Clean catch (midstream) urine sample
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
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Your health care provider will order certain tests, which will be done on the urine sample in a lab.
How to Prepare for the Test
For detailed information about how to prepare for the test, how the test will feel, risks with the test, and normal and abnormal values, please see the test your provider ordered:
- 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate
Urinary aldosterone
The 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion test measures the amount of aldosterone removed in the urine in a day. Aldosterone can also be measured wit...
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24-hour urine protein
24-hour urine protein
A 24-hour urine protein measures the amount of protein released in urine over a 24-hour period.
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Acid loading test (pH)
Acid loading test (pH)
The acid loading test (pH) measures the ability of the kidneys to send acid to the urine when there is too much acid in the blood. This test involve...
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Adrenalin - urine test
Adrenalin - urine test
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Amylase - urine
Amylase - urine
This is a test that measures the amount of amylase in urine. Amylase is an enzyme that helps digest carbohydrates. It is produced mainly in the pan...
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Bilirubin - urine
Bilirubin - urine
Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder. This article is about a lab tes...
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Calcium - urine
Calcium - urine
This test measures the amount of calcium in the urine. All cells need calcium in order to work. Calcium helps build strong bones and teeth. It is ...
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Citric acid urine test
Citric acid urine test
Citric acid urine test measures the level of citric acid in urine.
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Cortisol - urine
Cortisol - urine
The cortisol urine test measures the level of cortisol in the urine. Cortisol is a glucocorticoid (steroid) hormone produced by the adrenal gland. C...
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Creatinine - urine
Creatinine - urine
The creatinine urine test measures the amount of creatinine in urine. This test is done to see how well your kidneys are working. Creatinine in the ...
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Cytology exam of urine
Cytology exam of urine
A cytology exam of urine is a test used to detect cancer and other diseases of the urinary tract.
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Dopamine - urine test
Dopamine - urine test
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Electrolytes - urine
Electrolytes - urine
The electrolytes - urine test measures specific chemicals called electrolytes in urine. It most often measures the levels of calcium, chloride, pota...
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Epinephrine - urine test
Epinephrine - urine test
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Glucose - urine
Glucose - urine
The glucose urine test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in a urine sample. The presence of glucose in the urine is called glycosuria or gluco...
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HCG (qualitative - urine)
HCG (qualitative - urine)
This type of human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG or hCG) test checks if there is a hormone called human chorionic gonadotropin in your urine. HCG is a...
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Homovanillic acid (HVA)
Homovanillic acid (HVA)
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Immunoelectrophoresis - urine
Immunoelectrophoresis - urine
Urine immunoelectrophoresis is a lab test that measures immunoglobulins in a urine sample. Immunoglobulins are proteins that function as antibodies, ...
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Immunofixation - urine
Immunofixation - urine
Urine immunofixation is a test to look for abnormal proteins in urine.
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Ketones - urine
Ketones - urine
A ketone urine test measures the amount of ketones in the urine.
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Leucine aminopeptidase - urine
Leucine aminopeptidase - urine
Leucine aminopeptidase is a type of protein called an enzyme. It is normally found in liver cells and cells of the small intestine. This test is us...
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Myoglobin - urine
Myoglobin - urine
The myoglobin urine test is done to detect the presence of myoglobin in urine. Myoglobin can also be measured with a blood test.
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Norepinephrine - urine test
Norepinephrine - urine test
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Normetanephrine
Normetanephrine
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Osmolality - urine
Osmolality - urine
The osmolality urine test measures the concentration of chemicals in urine. Osmolality in the blood can be measured using a blood test.
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Porphyrins - urine
Porphyrins - urine
Porphyrins are natural chemicals in the body that help form many important substances in the body. One of these is hemoglobin, the protein in red bl...
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Potassium - urine
Potassium - urine
The potassium urine test measures the amount of potassium in the urine.
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Protein electrophoresis - urine
Protein electrophoresis - urine
The urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP) test is used to estimate how much of certain proteins are in the urine.
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Protein - urine
Protein - urine
The urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured...
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RBC - urine
RBC - urine
The RBC urine test measures the number of red blood cells in a urine sample.
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Sodium - urine
Sodium - urine
The sodium urine test measures the amount of sodium the urine. Sodium can also be measured in a blood sample.
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Urea nitrogen - urine
Urea nitrogen - urine
Urine urea nitrogen is a test that measures the amount of urea in the urine. Urea is a waste product resulting from the breakdown of protein in the ...
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Uric acid - urine
Uric acid - urine
The uric acid urine test measures the level of uric acid in the urine. The uric acid blood level can be checked using a blood test.
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Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
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Urine Bence-Jones protein
Urine Bence-Jones protein
This test measures the level of abnormal proteins called Bence-Jones proteins in the urine.
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Urinary casts
Urinary casts
Urinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles that can be found when urine is examined under the microscope during a test called urinalysis. Urinary c...
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Urine amino acids
Urine amino acids
Aminoaciduria is an abnormally high amount of amino acids in the urine. Amino acids are the building blocks for proteins in the body.
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Urine concentration test
Urine concentration test
A urine concentration test measures the ability of the kidneys to conserve or excrete water.
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Urine culture (catheterized specimen)
Urine culture (catheterized specimen)
Catheterized specimen urine culture is a laboratory test that looks for germs in a urine sample.
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Urine culture (clean catch)
Urine culture (clean catch)
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
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Urine dermatan sulfate
Urine dermatan sulfate
Acid mucopolysaccharides is a test that measures the amount of mucopolysaccharides released into the urine either during one episode or over a 24-hou...
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Urine - hemoglobin
Urine - hemoglobin
Hemoglobinuria test is a urine test that checks for hemoglobin in the urine.
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Urine metanephrine
Urine metanephrine
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Urine specific gravity
Urine specific gravity
Urine specific gravity is a laboratory test that shows the total concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.
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Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
Catecholamines are chemicals made by nerve tissue (including the brain) and the adrenal gland. The main types of catecholamines are dopamine, norepin...
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Normal Results
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
References
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.
Riley RS, McPherson RA. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.
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Urine test - illustration
Urine is the liquid waste product excreted by the kidneys. It is stored in the bladder until it is emptied out through the urethra.
Urine test
illustration
Review Date: 10/19/2022
Reviewed By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.