Chemical Analysis and Abnormal Findings
Reagent strips detect various substances that shouldn't normally appear in urine. Finding glucose often indicates diabetes, while proteinuria (protein in urine) can signal kidney disease. Ketonuria occurs when ketones appear in urine, commonly seen during starvation, vomiting, low-carb diets, or diabetesโessentially whenever your body breaks down fat for energy.
Blood in urine comes in two forms: hematuria (intact red blood cells) often caused by irritation in the urinary tract, and hemoglobinuria (hemolyzed red blood cells) resulting from conditions like drug interactions, burns, or snake bites. Both are important diagnostic indicators.
Bilirubin and urobilinogen relate to liver function. Bilirubin in urine often provides one of the earliest signs of liver disease. While small amounts of urobilinogen are normal, elevated levels also suggest liver problems.
Nitrates and leukocytes (white blood cells) in urine typically indicate urinary tract infections. These infections can cause painful or difficult urination and increased frequency. In healthy urine samples, protein, glucose, ketones, bilirubin, blood, nitrites, and WBCs should be absent.
Remember This: Normal urine pH ranges from 4.6 to 8, with a specific gravity between 1.001 and 1.035โknowing these normal values helps you identify abnormal results!