Synonyms: Complete Urinalysis; UA Complete

Why It Is Done

To screen for a disease or infection of the urinary tract.

To monitor the treatment of certain conditions such as diabetes, kidney stones, a urinary tract infection (UTI), hypertension, or some types of kidney or liver disease.

As part of a routine physical examination.

Test Overview

A urine test measures several different components of urine, a waste product made by the kidneys. A routine urine screening test may be done to help find the cause for many types of symptoms. The test can provide information about your overall health and clues to many conditions.

The kidneys remove waste material, minerals, fluids, and other substances from the blood for elimination in the urine. Therefore, urine can contain hundreds of different bodily waste products. Many factors, such as diet, fluid intake, exercise, and kidney function, affect what is in your urine.More than 100 different tests can be done on urine. A routine urinalysis usually includes the following tests.

Color, appearance, specific gravity, pH, protein, glucose, occult blood, ketones, leukocyte esterase, nitrite, bilirubin, urobilinogen, and microscopic examination of urine sediment

How To Prepare

Do not eat foods that can discolor the urine, including blackberries, beets, and rhubarb. Do not exercise strenuously before a urine sample is taken.