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Urine chemistry

Chemistry - urine

Urine chemistry is a group of one or more tests done to check the chemical content of a urine sample.

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How the Test is Performed

For this test, a clean catch (midstream) urine sample is needed.

Some tests require that you collect all of your urine for 24 hours.

Your health care provider will order certain tests, which will be done on the urine sample in a lab.

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 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 provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

Related Information

References

Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 106.

Riley RS, McPherson RA. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods. 24th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 29.

Review Date: 10/19/2022  

Reviewed By: Walead Latif, MD, Nephrologist and Clinical Associate Professor, Rutgers Medical School, Newark, NJ. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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