Urinalysis

Reading this article

Topic pages summarize public health information in plain language. They may describe common causes and treatments in general terms; your own plan of care depends on your clinician’s exam, history, and tests. Use what you read here to prepare questions—not to start, stop, or change medications or to self-diagnose.

A urinalysis is a test of your urine. It is often done to check for a urinary tract infections, kidney problems, or diabetes. You may also have one during a checkup, if you are admitted to the hospital, before you have surgery, or if you are pregnant. It can also monitor some medical conditions and treatments.

A urinalysis involves checking the urine for:

  • Its color
  • Its appearance (whether it is clear or cloudy)
  • Any odor
  • The pH level (acidity)
  • Whether there are substances that are not normally in urine, such as blood, too much protein, glucose, ketones, and bilirubin
  • Whether there are cells, crystals, and casts (tube-shaped proteins)
  • Whether it contains bacteria or other germs