Urinalysis – analysis, results, norms. What is protein, glucose or ketones in urine talking about?

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A urine test can help diagnose problems with the kidneys and urinary tract. The presence of glucose, urea, protein or ketones in the urine indicate trouble. For this reason, we decided to check what the examination looks like and what irregularities it can detect.

The amount of urine excreted by a healthy person per day ranges from 500 to 2500 ml. It depends on many factors, such as the amount of fluid ingested and the ambient temperature.

At the same time, a large number of different substances can be detected in the urine, which are the result of the final metabolic process. Reduced or elevated levels of the selected substance, or the presence of another – incorrect substance, may suggest the presence of an infection.

Find out why you should have urine tests regularly

It is also useful, among others in the diagnosis of adrenal gland diseases, in monitoring the level of calcium, vitamin C and urea in the body, to detect specific markers of various disease processes as well as to assess the need for antioxidants.

A urine test is performed:

• if a urinary tract infection is suspected (typical symptoms of an infection include: pain or burning when urinating, difficulty urinating, blood in the urine, fever, diffuse pain in the lower abdomen, pressure on the bladder);

• to monitor the effectiveness of the treatment of kidney stones, urinary tract infections, high blood pressure, certain kidney or liver diseases;

• as a routine examination (at least once a year – in both women and men)

Urine tests are extremely important in the diagnosis of kidney disease. Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center offers professional blood and urine analysis for diseases of this organ. You can buy the test package on the Medonet Market website and perform it throughout the country.

Urine Testing – Preparation for collecting a urine sample

In order for the test results to be reliable, observe the following rules in the 24 hours prior to urination for analysis:

1. If for some reason you are taking medications and the doctor ordering the urine test does not decide otherwise, use them according to the usual schedule;
2. Consumption of beets, currants, rhubarb, blueberries and larger amounts of carrots prior to testing may cause discoloration of the urine;
3. Avoid making strenuous efforts before urinating for examination;
4. Women should notify their urine test doctor if the urine test is due just before or during menstruation. In this case, it may be necessary to postpone the test to another day;
5. Before testing your urine, your doctor may advise you to stop taking certain medications that discolour your urine. These are i.a. vitamin B, phenazopyridine, phenytoin. If you are taking diuretics, be sure to inform the doctor who orders you.

For general urine testing, a small amount of urine (preferably in the morning) is collected in a special container. A sterile container is required to culture the urine. It can be purchased at any pharmacy or laboratory. Collecting urine in another vessel is contraindicated as it may distort the test result.

At Medonet Market you can buy General mail order urinalysis – 10 urine parameters. You can do them yourself at home and consult your doctor about the results.

Before collecting urine, it is necessary to wash your hands and wash the area of ​​the urethra plain water and, in the case of women, protect the genital tract – e.g. by temporarily covering the vagina with a tampon / gauze.

Urine test – urine culture

Both in women and men, urine for microbiological testing should be collected in the morning (and if possible – four hours after the last urination).

However, if you are taking drugs with antimicrobial activity – inform about the type of this drug and the period of its use.

When collecting urine, it is necessary to adhere to the following rules:

1. getting a disposable container available at the pharmacy,
2. wash your hands before collecting urine (soap and water) and dry them with a disposable towel;
3. washing the perineum and urethra thoroughly and drying it also with a disposable towel;
4. men should thoroughly wash the area of ​​the urethra after retracting the foreskin, and then dry it with a disposable towel;
5. women with one hand should open the labia to reveal the opening of the urethra, then wash the area, rinse and dry with a disposable towel.

Urine should be collected from the so-called middle stream (give the first batch of urine to the toilet, the second batch directly into a sterile container, about 1/3 of its height). To avoid bacterial contamination, try not to touch the container to the intimate area. After collecting urine, immediately close the container, secure it and name it. Then go to the laboratory and have the sample tested.

Urinalysis – how to interpret the test results?

Urine test results should be interpreted in terms of:

1. Color of urine

1. Standard: from straw to amber.
2. Abnormalities. Many foods and medications change the color of the urine. Discolored urine may indicate chronic kidney disease or poorly controlled diabetes. Dark urine can be evidence of dehydration. Red color may indicate blood in the urine.

2. Transparency

1. Standard: transparent.
2. Abnormalities. Cloudy urine can be evidence of pus (white blood cells), bacteria, fungi, chemical crystals, mucus, or a parasitic infection.

3. Specific weight:

1. Standard: 1.005-1.030.
2. Abnormalities. Very high specific gravity may result from high concentration of urine due to the intake of too little fluid, excessive loss of fluids from the body (persistent vomiting, excessive sweating, fever, diarrhea), loss of some compounds in the urine (e.g. glucose or protein). Low specific gravity values ​​are evidence of thinning of the urine from excessive fluid intake, severe kidney disease, or the use of diuretics.

4. pH

1. Standard: 4.6-8.0.
2. Abnormalities. Certain foods (citrus fruits and dairy products) and medications (e.g. for gastro-oesophageal reflux disease) can affect the pH of the urine. High pH (alkaline) can be caused by vomiting, kidney disease, certain urinary tract infections, and asthma. Low pH (acidic) can occur as a result of severe lung disease (emphysema), poorly controlled diabetes, severe diarrhea, dehydration, starvation, excessive alcohol intake, consumption of window de-icer (contains ethylene glycol)

5. Proteins

1. Normal: not present in urine.
2. Abnormalities. Protein in the urine may be due to kidney disease, infection, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, systemic lupus, glomerulonephritis, heart failure, leukemia, poisoning (lead or mercury), pre-eclampsia (in pregnant women or up to 6 weeks after childbirth).

6. Glucose

1. Normal: not present in urine. The exception is pregnant women in which small amounts of glucose are allowed.
2. Abnormalities. Intravenous fluid intake may cause the presence of glucose in the urine. Glucose is also present in the urine in poorly controlled diabetes, adrenal, liver or kidney disease, brain damage and some poisoning.

7. Ketones (ketones in urine)

1. Normal: not present in urine.
2. Abnormalities. When you find ketones in your urine, it is known as ketonuria. The presence of ketone bodies in the urine (ketones in the urine) may indicate poorly controlled diabetes, a very low carbohydrate diet, starvation or an eating disorder (e.g. anorexia or bulimia). Urine ketones are also found in alcoholics and into isopropranol alcohol poisoning. Ketone bodies are often found in the urine of people who have not eaten for at least 18 hours. This situation can happen during the illness, when the patient does not eat for several days and vomits. Ketones in the urine, but in small amounts (low levels), are sometimes found in healthy pregnant women.

8. Microscopic analysis

1. Standard. There are no red or white blood cells in the urine or a small number of them in the field of view (WP). There are no bacteria, fungi, parasites or epithelial cells present. Single crystals are occasionally observed.

Interpretation of urine test results requires consultation with your doctor. Make an online teleconsultation appointment with your family doctor on the haloDoctor.pl website. You will learn what your results mean and in which direction you should start treatment.

Urine test – abnormalities (crystals, urine ketones, sugar, and more)

The presence of red blood cells in the urine may be due to kidney or bladder damage, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, glomerulonephritis, kidney or bladder cancer, systemic lupus. Leukocytes (pus) present in the urine may indicate a urinary tract infection, a bladder tumor, inflammation of the kidneys, systemic lupus or infections: in women – vagina, in men – around the penis.

Depending on the type of rollers present in the urine, the examination can identify a type of nephritis or destruction of the glomeruli, poisoning with heavy metals (lead or mercury), heart failure or a bacterial infection.

Find out what is characterized by glomerulonephritis

A large number of crystals or the presence of certain types of crystals in the urine may indicate kidney damage, kidney stones, or a metabolic disorder. Certain medications can also cause crystals in the urine.

The presence of bacteria, fungal cells or parasites in the urine indicates a urinary tract infection. On the other hand, the presence of epithelial cells indicates contamination of the sample submitted for analysis. In this case, your doctor may recommend that you urinate again for testing.

Sugar in the urine may indicate you have diabetes. Small amounts of this substance are only allowed in pregnant women. Sugar in the urine in diabetics means that the disease is not treated properly. Other causes of sugar in the urine are: adrenal gland disease, kidney disease, liver disease, intravenous fluid intake, brain damage, and poisoning.

Elevated urine total bilirubin levels suggest jaundice. It is also observed in newborns and pregnant women. On the other hand, an increase in bound bilirubin occurs in people with viral hepatitis and damaged liver, after poisoning and in the course of metabolic diseases.

High urea content suggests renal failure or dehydration. It may also apply to people on a high-protein diet.

Find out what a high urea level can show in a urine test

Exceeding the amount of uric acid may indicate chronic or acute renal failure, the use of diuretics, cancer, and carbon monoxide or lead poisoning.

Ketones in the urine (ketone bodies)

Urinary ketones should not be present in urine under physiological conditions. Although small amounts of ketones in the urine are seen in pregnant women. Their presence in the remaining group of people indicates disorders related to fat and carbohydrate metabolism, alcoholism and improperly treated diabetes.

When examining urine in pregnant women, three very important aspects are taken into account, sugar, protein and signs of urinary tract infection. The tests should be repeated in the first, second and third trimesters of pregnancy.

Increased sugar levels may indicate gestational diabetes, protein – kidney or bladder disease that is dangerous for both the mother and the baby, and the presence of ketone bodies in the urine of a pregnant woman – about metabolic disorders. In any of the three cases, a consultation with the attending physician should be made.

Check what tests will confirm gestational diabetes

Urine tests in a child – norms and abnormalities

A child’s urine should be tested as often as adults. If you have a fever or suspect kidney or liver disease, your doctor may also order a test. Particular attention is drawn to cloudy urine, which is a sign of a developing disease.

Collecting urine from a child is not an easy task. Make sure that your toddler gives the right amount of fluid. Before the collection, you can wash the urethra with a cotton swab soaked in rivanol so that the test result is not disturbed.

Urine tests – price

The price of a urine test is quite low. Its cost is about PLN 10-20, depending on the laboratory where the test is to be performed. Usually one day is waiting for the results. You should go to your family doctor with the results so that he can interpret them appropriately, and then, if necessary, refer them for further tests.