Urine chemistry
Urine chemistry is a group of one or more tests done to check the chemical content of a urine sample.
How the Test is Performed
For this test, a clean-catch (midstream) urine sample is needed. For more information, see: Urine collection - clean catch.
Some tests require that you collect all of your urine for 24 hours.
Your doctor will order certain tests, which will be done on the urine sample in a laboratory.
How to Prepare for the Test
For detailed information about how to prepare for the test, how the test will feel, risks with the test, and normal and abnormal values, please see the test your health care provider ordered:
- 24-hour urinary aldosterone excretion rate
- 24-hour urine protein
- Acid loading test (pH)
- Adrenalin - urine test
- Amylase - urine
- Bilirubin - urine
- Calcium - urine
- Citric acid urine test
- Cortisol - urine
- Creatinine - urine
- Cytology exam of urine
- Dopamine - urine test
- Electrolytes - urine
- Epinephrine - urine test
- Glucose - urine
- HCG (qualitative - urine)
- Homovanillic acid (HVA)
- Immunoelectrophoresis - urine
- Immunofixation - urine
- Ketones - urine
- Leucine aminopeptidase - urine
- Myoglobin - urine
- Norepinephrine - urine test
- Normetanephrine
- Osmolality - urine
- Porphyrins - urine
- Potassium - urine
- Protein electrophoresis - urine
- Protein - urine
- RBC - urine
- Sodium - urine
- Urea nitrogen - urine
- Uric acid - urine
- Urinalysis
- Urine Bence-Jones protein
- Urinary casts
- Urine amino acids
- Urine concentration test
- Urine culture (catheterized specimen)
- Urine culture (clean catch)
- Urine dermatan sulfate
- Urine - hemoglobin
- Urine metanephrine
- Urine pH
- Urine specific gravity
- Vanillylmandelic acid (VMA)
Normal Results
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
Alternative Names
Chemistry - urine
References
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.
Updated: 4/14/2012
Reviewed by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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