Urinalysis

What is a Dipstick? 

Consists of pads embedded on a reagent strip that provide a quick assessment of various potential contents of urine

What is the point of urinalysis?

The point of a urinalysis is to quickly check for signs of disease, infection, or organ problems by analyzing urine. It helps detect conditions like urinary tract infections (UTIs), kidney disease, diabetes, and liver problems.

Urobilinogen

• A byproduct of the breakdown of hemoglobin. It's normally found in small amounts in urine.

• Positive result: High urobilinogen levels may indicate liver disease

• Negative result: A negative or low level is normal, suggesting there are no significant liver or red blood cell breakdown issues.

Normal range: 0.1–1.0 Ehrlich unit/dL.

Glucose

• Glucose in urine is a sign of how well your body is managing sugar levels, particularly in relation to diabetes.

• Positive result: A positive result indicates that there is an abnormally high level of glucose in the urine, which is most often seen in diabetes mellitus (both Type 1 and Type 2) or when blood glucose levels exceed the renal threshold.

• Negative result: No glucose in the urine is normal.

Normal range: Negative.

Ketones

• Body burns fat for energy instead of glucose, often during prolonged fasting, starvation, or uncontrolled diabetes.

• Positive result: Positive results usually indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) or can be seen in people following a low-carb or ketogenic diet.

• Negative result: No ketones present in the urine is normal.

Normal range: Negative.

Bilirubin

• Bilirubin is a breakdown product of red blood cells. It is normally processed by the liver and excreted in bile.

• Positive result: A positive result may indicate liver disease or a bile duct obstruction.

• Negative result: No bilirubin in the urine is normal

Normal range: Negative.

Protein

• Protein in the urine is often a sign of kidney damage or disease

• Positive result: A positive result may indicate kidney disease

• Negative result: No protein in urine is normal.

Normal range: Negative or trace amounts

Nitrite

• Nitrite is produced by certain types of bacteria when they reduce nitrate in the urine

• Positive result: A positive result suggests a UTI

• Negative result: Negative result suggests no bacterial infection in the urinary tract.

Normal range: Negative

pH

• pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the urine.

• Positive result: A highly acidic urine pH can be associated with conditions like gout or metabolic acidosis, while alkaline pH might be linked to urinary tract infections or kidney stones.

• Negative result: No "negative" result here, just an interpretation. A normal pH range suggests the body is managing urine acidity well.

Normal range: Typically between 4.5 to 8.0 (most urine is slightly acidic, around 6.0).

Blood

• Blood in the urine (hematuria) can be detected by the presence of red blood cells.

• Positive result: May indicate urinary tract infection, kidney stones, injury, or even bladder cancer.

• Negative result: No blood in the urine is normal.

Normal range: Negative or trace amounts

Specific Gravity

• Measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, indicating how well the kidneys are diluting or concentrating the urine.

• Positive result

  • High specific gravity can indicate dehydration

  • Low specific gravity could suggest kidney disease, excessive fluid intake, or diabetes insipidus.

• Negative result: No "negative" result here; it just gives a numeric reading. A result near 1.010 is normal.

Normal range: 1.005–1.030.

Leukocytes (White Blood Cells)

• Can indicate an infection, usually a UTI.

• Positive result: Indicates the presence of white blood cells, which are typically a response to infection or inflammation.

• Negative result: No leukocytes in urine is normal.

Normal range: Negative