Urinalysis

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White blood cells seen under a microscope from a urine sample.

A urinalysis (or "UA") is an array of tests performed on urine and one of the most common methods of medical diagnosis.^[1] A part of a urinalysis can be performed by using urine dipsticks, in which the test results can be read as color changes.

[edit] Medical urinalysis

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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 the specific gravity.
pH - normally 4.8 to 7.5.
ketone bodies - normally negative (absent)
protein - normally negative (absent)
nitrites
urobilinogen
bilirubin
glucose - normally negative (absent)
RBC number
WBC number
hCG - normally absent, this hormone appears in the urine of pregnant women. Home pregnancy tests commonly detect this substance.

[edit] Microscopic examination

A urine sample is about to be examined under a phase-contrast microscope using a Neubauer counting chamber. The urine is under the cover slide, in the upper segment formed by the H-shaped grooves.

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.