What Is Urinalysis?

A urinalysis is a test of your urine. Doctors use urine tests to find issues including UTI and diabetes. Learn about the test and what it checks for.

*Health information sourced from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and MedlinePlus, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine. co-pay.com is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.

A urinalysis is a test of your urine. It is often done to check for a urinary tract infection, 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

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