A urinalysis is a test of the urine. The urine sample is evaluated in three ways: visual exam, dipstick test and microscopic exam.
Screening: detect health issues before symptoms appear. Urinalysis can look for unidentified health issues in order to reduce the risk of future complications.
Diagnosis: finding the cause of symptoms.
Monitoring: Used to see how well treatment is working or to see the severity of a condition.
Visual exam: Clarity, Color, Foam content, Odor
Urine should be clear.
Cloudiness can indicate an infection.
Protein in urine can make it look foamy.
Dipstick test:
- Acidity (pH)
- Protein Normal to have low or now protein
- Glucose in urine is typically too low to be detected
- Ketones
- Bilirubin not normally in urine
- Leukocyte esterase might indicate a UTI.
- Nitrites
- Blood should not be in the urine
- Concentration/specific gravity
Microscopic exam:
- Red blood cell
- White blood cell
- Epithelial cells
- Bacteria, yeast and parasites
- Urinary casts
A urinalysis alone usually doesn’t provide a definite diagnosis.