Urine Analysis

Complete Clinical Pathology Reference

Volume

Normal (Adult) 600–2000 mL/24h
Average 1200–1500 mL/24h
Oliguria < 400 mL/24h
Anuria < 100 mL/24h
Polyuria > 3000 mL/24h

Color

Normal Pale yellow to amber (Urochrome)
Red/Pink Hematuria, hemoglobinuria, myoglobinuria, beets, rifampicin
Dark brown Bilirubin (hepatitis), myoglobin, melanin
Orange Bilirubin, pyridium, dehydration
Green/Blue Pseudomonas UTI, methylene blue, amitriptyline
Black Alkaptonuria (homogentisic acid), melanoma

Appearance / Turbidity

Normal Clear to slightly hazy
Turbid causes WBCs, RBCs, bacteria, crystals, epithelial cells, lipids, mucus
Milky Chyluria (filariasis), lipiduria (nephrotic syndrome)

Odor & Specific Gravity

Normal odor Faintly aromatic
Ammonia Old standing specimen, UTI (urea-splitting organisms)
Fruity/Sweet Diabetic ketoacidosis (acetone)
Mousy/Musty Phenylketonuria
Maple syrup Maple syrup urine disease (branched-chain aminoaciduria)
Sp. Gravity (normal) 1.003–1.030 (random); 1.015–1.025 (24h)
Isosthenuria Fixed at 1.010 (renal failure, loss of concentrating ability)
Hyposthenuria < 1.007 (Diabetes insipidus, overhydration)

pH

Normal range: 4.5–8.0 (average 6.0, slightly acidic)
Acidic urine: High protein diet, DKA, starvation, diarrhea, cranberries, ammonium chloride
Alkaline urine: Vegetarian diet, UTI (Proteus), vomiting, RTA, old specimens, bicarbonate therapy