Urine test: information and doctors

The urine test is used to check the composition and consistency of the urine. It can also detect abnormal substances in the urine. In this way, the doctor can draw conclusions about certain diseases. The urine sample required for the urine test is usually obtained from the so-called midstream urine.

You can find further information and selected doctors for urine testing here.

In addition to the physical examination and the medical history interview, the urine test is a basic medical diagnostic method. It is used to

• to check the composition and consistency of the urine and to detect
• to detect various substances in the urine.

In this way, the doctor can draw conclusions about certain diseases, such as

• Diabetes mellitus,
• kidney inflammation or
• urinary tract infections such as urethritis or ureteritis.

can be drawn.

With the help of a urine test, substances such as

• Blood (red or white blood cells),
• sugar (glucose),
• protein and nitrite as well as
• bacteria or other pathogens

can be detected in the urine. In addition, a urine test can also determine

• the color,
• the odor and
• the quantity of the urine sample

can be checked and assessed.

The urine test is also known as a urine test, urine examination or urinalysis.

When is a urine test carried out?

Symptoms and illnesses that make a urine test necessary include

• Bladder infections
• Urinary tract infections
• Kidney infections
• Diabetes mellitus
• Disorders of kidney function
• Disorders of bladder function
• Increased urine production
• unclear abdominal complaints
• Unclear flank pain

With urine tests, test strips can quickly provide initial findings © Lothar Drechsel | AdobeStock

What is the procedure for a urine test?

The urine sample for a urine test is usually taken from the midstream urine. This is the middle portion of urine, i.e. the stream of urine that is already running. The first stream of urine is therefore discarded. Only the following urine portions are collected in a sterile container and used for the urine test.

This reduces the likelihood of impurities and germs from the external genitalia and the outer sections of the urethra getting into the urine sample. These could falsify the result of the urine analysis.

In addition, some urine tests are also carried out using so-called 24-hour urine collection. For this, the patient must, if possible, collect all of the urine that they have passed within 24 hours in a special container.

The urine test itself is carried out either

• in the form of a rapid urine test or
• by means of microscopic examination in the laboratory

carried out in the laboratory.

In a rapid urine test, the examining doctor dips a special test strip into the urine sample taken. If this test strip changes color, this serves as evidence of certain substances in the urine.

The microscopic examination of the urine sample in the laboratory is used for further urine analysis. Among other things, bacteria or pathogens in the urine can be determined more precisely. The composition of the urine can also be subjected to a chemical analysis.

What values are determined in a urine test and how are they assessed?

The following factors and values, among others, are determined and assessed as part of the urine test:

• Quantity: The urine test measures the amount of urine excreted each day. A healthy person produces an average of 500 to 2,000 millimeters of urine per day. If the amount determined deviates from the normal values, this can be an indication of certain illnesses.
• Color and odor: As part of the urine test, the doctor assesses the color and odor of the urine sample obtained. Normally, the urine should be clear and yellow (straw to amber yellow) and not cloudy.
• pH value: The pH value of the urine is normally between 5 and 6, i.e. the urine is slightly acidic. Deviations from this normal value can be determined using a urine test. Acidic urine with a pH value of less than 5 indicates, among other things, severe diarrhea or diabetes mellitus. A pH value of over 6 can be the result of a urinary tract infection.
• Protein (albumin): A healthy person normally excretes no or only very small amounts of protein in the urine. If protein is detected in the urine during a urine test, kidney disease may be present.
• Sugar (glucose): The kidneys can no longer retain sugar in the body once a certain amount of glucose is present in the blood. It then passes into the urine and is excreted. The detection of sugar in the urine indicates diabetes mellitus or certain types of cancer.
• Nitrite: Certain urinary tract bacteria lead to the formation of nitrite. Their detection is an indication of a urinary tract infection, such as cystitis.
• Ketones: Ketones are not normally found in urine. If they are nevertheless detected in the urine test, this is a sign of increased fat breakdown in the body. Incorrectly adjusted diabetes mellitus is also conceivable.
• Blood (red or white blood cells) in the urine: Red blood cells in the urine can be a sign of inflammation of the urinary tract or bladder cancer. White blood cells in the urine indicate inflammation of the kidneys or bladder .
• Bacteria: Bacteria in the blood usually require more detailed urine tests in the laboratory. The exact pathogen is determined there.