01/04/2022
Urinalysis 🚽
If you have kidney disease, you’re probably pretty used to people asking for a sample of your p*e.
A urinalysis or urine dip-stick is a quick, easy and cheap way to screen for and monitor urinary and kidney health. A urinalysis stick comprises different chemical pads or reagents which change colour if certain substances are contained in your urine.
Here’s what’s measure by a urinalysis and what it might mean:
Specific Gravity- a measure of the amount of solutes dissolved in urine compared to water.
Used as a measure of urine concentration & represents the kidney’s ability to concentrate urine
pH- shows how acidic or alkaline your urine is
Leukocytes
white blood cells, not usually found in urine.
- Found in nearly all diseases of the kidney and urinary tract
- May indicate infection: urinary tract infection,
- pyelonephritis (kidney infection) or cystitis
Blood
not usually found in urine
- May indicate infection, kidney stones, kidney or bladder cancer
Nitrites
not usually found in urine
- Usually indicates infection with gram negative bacteria
- A positive text strongly suggests infection but negative test does not exclude it
Ketones
- Indicates the body is using fats rather than carbohydrates for energy
- Low levels may be seen with fasting, rapid weight loss, strenuous exercise or low carb diet
- High levels may be seen in people with uncontrolled diabetes
Bilirubin
not usually found in urine
- Formed as a by-product of red blood cell breakdown in the liver
- May be an indicator of liver disease, bile duct obstruction or drug induced liver toxicity
Urobilogen
Normally present in low concentrations
- Very sensitive but non-specific test to determine liver damage, haemolytic disease and severe infections
Protein
Primarily measures albumin
- A marker of glomerular damage
- Indicates kidney problems and/or general inflammation
Glucose
Not normally present in urine
- Occurs in people with elevated serum glucose levels or reduced glucose reabsorption in renal tubular disease and pregnancy
- Indicator of uncontrolled diabetes