BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuUrinalysisUrine appearance and color; Routine urine test; Cystitis - urinalysis; Bladder infection - urinalysis; UTI - urinalysis; Urinary tract infection - urinalysis; Hematuria - urinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine. How the Test is Performed A urine sample is needed. Your health care provider will tell you what type of urine sample is needed. Two common methods of collecting urine are 24-hour urine collection and clean catch urine specimen. 24-hour urine collectionThe urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amounts of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Clean catch urine specimenA clean catch is a method of collecting a urine sample to be tested. The clean-catch urine method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined for the following:PHYSICAL COLOR AND APPEARANCEHow the urine sample looks to the naked eye:Is it clear or cloudy? Is it pale, or dark yellow, or another color? MICROSCOPIC APPEARANCEThe urine sample is examined under a microscope to:Check if there are any cells, urine crystals, urinary casts, mucus, and other substances. Urinary castsUrinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles that can be found when urine is examined under the microscope during a test called urinalysis. Urinary c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify any bacteria or other germs. CHEMICAL TESTS (urine chemistry)Urine chemistryUrine chemistry is a group of one or more tests done to check the chemical content of a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A special strip (dipstick) is used to test for substances in the urine sample. The strip has pads of chemicals that change color when they come in contact with substances of interest. Examples of specific urinalysis tests that may be done to check for problems include:Red blood cell urine test Red blood cell urine testThe RBC urine test measures the number of red blood cells in a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Glucose urine test Glucose urine test 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Protein urine test Protein urine testThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine pH level test Urine pH level testA urine pH test measures the level of acid in urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ketones urine test Ketones urine testA ketone urine test measures the amount of ketones in the urine.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin urine test Bilirubin urine testBilirubin 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine specific gravity testUrine specific gravity testUrine specific gravity is a laboratory test that shows the total concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Certain medicines change the color of urine, but this is not a sign of disease. Your provider may tell you to stop taking any medicines that can affect test results.Medicines that can change your urine color include:Chloroquine Iron supplements Levodopa Nitrofurantoin Phenazopyridine Phenothiazine Phenytoin Riboflavin Triamterene How the Test will Feel The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed A urinalysis may be done:As part of a routine medical exam to screen for early signs of disease If you have signs of diabetes or kidney disease, or to monitor you if you are being treated for these conditions DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To check for blood in the urine Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To diagnose a urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Normal urine varies in color from almost colorless to dark yellow. Some foods, such as beets and blackberries, may turn urine red.Usually, glucose, ketones, protein, and bilirubin are not detectable in urine. The following are not normally found in urine:Hemoglobin Nitrites Red blood cells White blood cells 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. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may mean you have an illness, such as: Kidney disease Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Poorly controlled diabetes Bladder or kidney cancerBladderBladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney cancerRenal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider can discuss the results with you. Risks There are no risks with this test. Considerations If a home test is used, the person reading the results must be able to tell the difference between colors, because the results are interpreted using a color chart.Open ReferencesReferencesRiley 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.Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.AllVideoImagesTogUrinary tract infection - adultsAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersUrinary tract infection - adults - Animation Using the bathroom is usually a no-brainer. You go, you flush, you wash. But sometimes, you can have a condition that makes it painful or difficult to go. If you're feeling pain or burning when you urinate, or you feel like you need to go all the time, the problem could be a urinary tract infection. Most often, you get a urinary tract infections when bacteria make their way into your bladder, kidneys, ureters, those tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, or the urethra, the tube that carries urine to the outside of your body. Unfortunately for women, they're more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men because they have a much shorter urethra. Bacteria can more easily slip into a woman's body after they have sex or use the bathroom. Certain conditions can also increase your risk of a urinary tract infection, including diabetes, pregnancy, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, as well as urinary tract surgery. You can often tell you may have a urinary tract infection by the pain and burning whenever you urinate, and the constant urge to go. Your urine may look cloudy or bloody, and it might give off a bad smell. Your doctor can diagnose an infection by taking a urine sample and checking for bacteria. Occasionally different scans, including a CT and kidney scan, may be done to rule out other urinary problems. If you do have a urinary tract infection, you'll probably be prescribed antibiotics, drugs that kill bacteria. Also drink a lot of water and other fluids to help flush out the bacteria. Usually, antibiotics can knock out a urinary tract infection in a day or two. But like the unwelcome visitors they are, sometimes these infections keep coming back. You may need to keep taking antibiotics for a longer period of time. There are ways to help prevent getting urinary tract infections, like drinking a lot of fluids, perhaps including cranberry juice. Probiotics, beneficial bacteria may also help prevent urinary tract infections. Women should be careful about their hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, urinate before and after sexual activity, and keep your genital area clean. If you use a diaphragm with spermicide, consider changing contraceptives. For post menopausal women, topical estrogen greatly reduces urinary tract infections. Recurrent, uncomplicated urinary tract infections are very common in non pregnant, healthy young women. Thankfully, they are easy to treat and are unlikely to lead to other health problems.Female urinary tract - illustration The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.Female urinary tractillustrationMale urinary tract - illustration The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.Male urinary tractillustrationUrinary tract infection - adultsAnimation Related video goes here for no-HTML5 browsersUrinary tract infection - adults - Animation Using the bathroom is usually a no-brainer. You go, you flush, you wash. But sometimes, you can have a condition that makes it painful or difficult to go. If you're feeling pain or burning when you urinate, or you feel like you need to go all the time, the problem could be a urinary tract infection. Most often, you get a urinary tract infections when bacteria make their way into your bladder, kidneys, ureters, those tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, or the urethra, the tube that carries urine to the outside of your body. Unfortunately for women, they're more likely to get a urinary tract infection than men because they have a much shorter urethra. Bacteria can more easily slip into a woman's body after they have sex or use the bathroom. Certain conditions can also increase your risk of a urinary tract infection, including diabetes, pregnancy, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, as well as urinary tract surgery. You can often tell you may have a urinary tract infection by the pain and burning whenever you urinate, and the constant urge to go. Your urine may look cloudy or bloody, and it might give off a bad smell. Your doctor can diagnose an infection by taking a urine sample and checking for bacteria. Occasionally different scans, including a CT and kidney scan, may be done to rule out other urinary problems. If you do have a urinary tract infection, you'll probably be prescribed antibiotics, drugs that kill bacteria. Also drink a lot of water and other fluids to help flush out the bacteria. Usually, antibiotics can knock out a urinary tract infection in a day or two. But like the unwelcome visitors they are, sometimes these infections keep coming back. You may need to keep taking antibiotics for a longer period of time. There are ways to help prevent getting urinary tract infections, like drinking a lot of fluids, perhaps including cranberry juice. Probiotics, beneficial bacteria may also help prevent urinary tract infections. Women should be careful about their hygiene. Always wipe from front to back after using the bathroom, urinate before and after sexual activity, and keep your genital area clean. If you use a diaphragm with spermicide, consider changing contraceptives. For post menopausal women, topical estrogen greatly reduces urinary tract infections. Recurrent, uncomplicated urinary tract infections are very common in non pregnant, healthy young women. Thankfully, they are easy to treat and are unlikely to lead to other health problems.Female urinary tract - illustration The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.Female urinary tractillustrationMale urinary tract - illustration The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.Male urinary tractillustration Tests for Urinalysis UrinalysisRelated Information Urinary tract infection - adults(Condition)Diabetes(Condition)Urine - bloody (Symptoms)Protein in diet(Nutrition)Vitamin C(Nutrition)Acute nephritic syndrome(Condition)Acute tubular necrosis(Condition)Alkalosis(Condition)Alport syndrome(Condition)Analgesic nephropathy(Condition)Urinary tract infection - InDepth(In-Depth)Diabetes - type 1 - InDepth(In-Depth)Eating disorders - InDepth(In-Depth) Review Date: 2/2/2023 Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
UrinalysisUrine appearance and color; Routine urine test; Cystitis - urinalysis; Bladder infection - urinalysis; UTI - urinalysis; Urinary tract infection - urinalysis; Hematuria - urinalysisUrinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine. How the Test is Performed A urine sample is needed. Your health care provider will tell you what type of urine sample is needed. Two common methods of collecting urine are 24-hour urine collection and clean catch urine specimen. 24-hour urine collectionThe urine 24-hour volume test measures the amount of urine produced in a day. The amounts of creatinine, protein, and other chemicals released into ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Clean catch urine specimenA clean catch is a method of collecting a urine sample to be tested. The clean-catch urine method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article The sample is sent to a lab, where it is examined for the following:PHYSICAL COLOR AND APPEARANCEHow the urine sample looks to the naked eye:Is it clear or cloudy? Is it pale, or dark yellow, or another color? MICROSCOPIC APPEARANCEThe urine sample is examined under a microscope to:Check if there are any cells, urine crystals, urinary casts, mucus, and other substances. Urinary castsUrinary casts are tiny tube-shaped particles that can be found when urine is examined under the microscope during a test called urinalysis. Urinary c...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Identify any bacteria or other germs. CHEMICAL TESTS (urine chemistry)Urine chemistryUrine chemistry is a group of one or more tests done to check the chemical content of a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article A special strip (dipstick) is used to test for substances in the urine sample. The strip has pads of chemicals that change color when they come in contact with substances of interest. Examples of specific urinalysis tests that may be done to check for problems include:Red blood cell urine test Red blood cell urine testThe RBC urine test measures the number of red blood cells in a urine sample.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Glucose urine test Glucose urine test 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Protein urine test Protein urine testThe urine protein dipstick test measures the presence of all proteins, including albumin, in a urine sample. Albumin and protein can also be measured...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine pH level test Urine pH level testA urine pH test measures the level of acid in urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Ketones urine test Ketones urine testA ketone urine test measures the amount of ketones in the urine.Read Article Now Book Mark Article Bilirubin urine test Bilirubin urine testBilirubin 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...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Urine specific gravity testUrine specific gravity testUrine specific gravity is a laboratory test that shows the total concentration of all chemical particles in the urine.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article How to Prepare for the Test Certain medicines change the color of urine, but this is not a sign of disease. Your provider may tell you to stop taking any medicines that can affect test results.Medicines that can change your urine color include:Chloroquine Iron supplements Levodopa Nitrofurantoin Phenazopyridine Phenothiazine Phenytoin Riboflavin Triamterene How the Test will Feel The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort. Why the Test is Performed A urinalysis may be done:As part of a routine medical exam to screen for early signs of disease If you have signs of diabetes or kidney disease, or to monitor you if you are being treated for these conditions DiabetesDiabetes is a long-term (chronic) disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney diseaseChronic kidney disease is the slow loss of kidney function over time. The main job of the kidneys is to remove wastes and excess water from the body...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To check for blood in the urine Blood in the urineBlood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article To diagnose a urinary tract infectionUrinary tract infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Normal Results Normal urine varies in color from almost colorless to dark yellow. Some foods, such as beets and blackberries, may turn urine red.Usually, glucose, ketones, protein, and bilirubin are not detectable in urine. The following are not normally found in urine:Hemoglobin Nitrites Red blood cells White blood cells 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. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may mean you have an illness, such as: Kidney disease Urinary tract infection Urinary tract infectionA urinary tract infection, or UTI, is an infection of the urinary tract. The infection can occur at different points in the urinary tract, including...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney stones Kidney stonesA kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Poorly controlled diabetes Bladder or kidney cancerBladderBladder cancer is a cancer that starts in the bladder. The bladder is the body part that holds and releases urine. It is in the center of the lower...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Kidney cancerRenal cell carcinoma is a type of kidney cancer that starts in the lining of very small tubes (tubules) in the kidney.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Your provider can discuss the results with you. Risks There are no risks with this test. Considerations If a home test is used, the person reading the results must be able to tell the difference between colors, because the results are interpreted using a color chart.Open ReferencesReferencesRiley 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.Sobel JD, Brown P. Urinary tract infections. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 72.