Urinalysis

Urine is more than just waste; it is a filtered reflection of what is happening inside your body. By analyzing urine, clinicians can detect subtle shifts in kidney performance, signs of infection, and markers of systemic conditions like diabetes or liver disease. A complete urinalysis typically includes three layers of evaluation:

• Physical examination looks at color, clarity, and odor, which can reveal dehydration, infection, or liver problems.
• Chemical testing uses dipsticks or sensors to detect substances like glucose, protein, ketones, or blood that should not normally appear in urine.
• Microscopic analysis identifies cells, crystals, casts (tiny tube-shaped particles), and microorganisms that help pinpoint the cause of disease.

Because urinalysis is sensitive to many factors, results are best interpreted in clinical context. For example, glucose in the urine may point to uncontrolled diabetes, while protein can suggest kidney stress, but both may also appear temporarily after intense exercise.

Urinalysis is especially valuable in diagnosing urinary tract infections (UTIs). No single marker, like leukocyte esterase (an enzyme released by white blood cells) or nitrites (produced by certain bacteria), is conclusive on its own. But when combined with symptoms such as burning during urination or fever, urinalysis provides a strong diagnostic tool.

While powerful, urinalysis has limitations. Contamination during sample collection can create misleading results, and diet or medications may alter urine chemistry. For these reasons, proper collection and careful interpretation are key to ensuring urinalysis provides meaningful insights.