- Urinalysis
A urinalysis (or "UA") is an array of tests performed on
urine and one of the most common methods ofmedical diagnosis . A part of a urinalysis can be performed by using urinedipsticks , in which the test results can be read as color changes.Medical urinalysis
A typical medical urinalysis usually includes:
*a description of color and appearance.
*specific gravity - normally 1.010 to 1.030. This test detects ion concentration of the urine. Small amounts of protein or ketoacidosis tend to elevate results of thespecific gravity .
*pH - normally 4.8 to 7.5.
*ketone bodies - normally negative (absent)
*protein - normally negative (absent)
*urobilinogen
*bilirubin
*glucose - normally negative (absent)
*RBC number
*WBC number
*hCG - normally absent, this hormone appears in the urine of pregnant women. Homepregnancy test s commonly detect this substance.Microscopic examination
The numbers and types of cells and/or material such as
urinary casts can yield a great detail of information and may suggest a specific diagnosis.
*eosinophiluria - associated withallergic interstitial nephritis , atheroembolic disease
*RBC casts - associated withglomerulonephritis ,vasculitis ,malignant hypertension
*WBC casts - associated withacute interstitial nephritis , exudativeglomerulonephritis , severepyelonephritis
*(heme) granular casts - associated withacute tubular necrosis
*crystalluria -- associated withacute urate nephropathy (or "Acute uric acid nephropathy", AUAN)
*calcium oxalate - associated withethylene glycol toxicityee also
*
uroscopy , the ancient form of this analysis
*Medical technologist External links
* [http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/hw6580.asp WebMD]
* [http://www.aafp.org/afp/20050315/1153.html American Family Physician]
* [http://www.intensivecaring.com/urinalysis_interpretation.htm Interpreting urinalysis]
* [http://www.pediatriconcall.com/fordoctor/DiseasesandCondition/Procedure/URINE_EXAMINATION.asp PediatricOnCall]
* [http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/urinalysis/glance.html Lab Tests Online: Urinalysis]
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