Lab test · Kidney
Urinalysis
A urinalysis checks the appearance, chemistry and microscopic content of urine. What it can reveal about the kidneys, urinary tract and metabolism.
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What it involves
MedlinePlus describes urinalysis as a physical, chemical and microscopic examination of urine. A dipstick checks for things such as protein, glucose, blood, ketones and signs of infection.
What it can show
Findings can point to urinary tract infection, kidney problems or diabetes, and are used in routine check-ups and before procedures.
Limitations
A standard dipstick is not sensitive to small amounts of albumin, so kidney damage in people with diabetes or high blood pressure is checked with a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio instead. A midstream clean-catch sample reduces contamination.
Factors that can affect the result
- Hydration
- Contamination
- Menstruation
- Exercise
- Diet and medicines
Questions people commonly ask
- Can urinalysis detect early kidney disease?
- Only partly. The urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio is the preferred test for early kidney damage.
Related tests
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Keep your health results in one place
What does this mean for your own health data? Log your results, follow trends over time and bring an organised summary to your next doctor's appointment.
Sources
- Urinalysis. MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- Chronic Kidney Disease Tests & Diagnosis. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIH).