Urinalysis A urine<unk> strip is compared against a color chart to determine the results. Urinalysis involves assessment of the physical properties of urine, such as color and clarity; chemical analysis using a urine<unk> strip; and microscopic examination. Microscopic examination is not always included: it may be reserved for samples that have abnormal results on preliminary examinations, or performed at the healthcare provider's request.<unk> strips contain pads impregnated with chemical compounds that change color when they interact with specific elements in the urine; for example, nitrite, a compound produced by some bacteria that cause urinary tract infections, and leukocyte esterase, an enzyme found in white blood cells (WBCs) which acts as an indicator of the number of WBCs in the urine. The intensity of the color change correlates roughly with the concentration of each compound. If microscopy is necessary, the urine is first centrifuged to concentrate the solid elements so that they can be viewed more easily. A drop of the concentrated sample is placed under a coverslip and examined, typically at 10x and 40x magnification. If it is necessary to determine the exact number of cells or casts in the sample, it can be placed in a counting chamber called a hemocytometer. Urine is traditionally examined by light microscopy, but some laboratories use phase-contrast microscopes, which improve the visualization of elements such as urinary casts and mucus. There are also automated systems that use fluorescence flow cytometry technology and others with pattern recognition to identify microscopic elements in the urine. Urine<unk> strip A urine<unk> strip can quantify: * Leukocytes – with presence in urine known as leukocyturia * Nitrite – with presence in urine known as nitrituria * Protein – with presence in urine known as proteinuria, albuminuria, or microalbuminuria * Erythrocytes – with presence in urine known as hematuria * Specific gravity * Glucose - with presence in urine known as glucosuria * Bilirubin - with presence in urine known as bilirubinuria * Ketones - with presence in urine known as ketonuria Microscopic examination A urine sample is about to be examined under a phase-contrast microscope using a Neubauer counting chamber. The urine is under the cover slide, in the upper segment formed by the H-shaped grooves. The numbers and types of cells and/or material such as urinary casts can yield a great detail of information and may suggest a specific diagnosis. * Hematuria – associated with kidney stones, infections, tumors and other conditions * Pyuria – associated with urinary infections * Eosinophiluria – associated with allergic interstitial nephritis, atheroembolic disease * Red blood cell casts – associated with glomerulonephritis, vasculitis, or malignant hypertension * White blood cell casts – associated with acute interstitial nephritis, exudative glomerulonephritis, or severe pyelonephritis * (Heme) granular casts – associated with acute tubular necrosis * Crystalluria – associated with acute urate nephropathy (or acute uric acid nephropathy, AUAN) * Calcium oxalatin – associated with ethylene glycol, kidney stone disease * Waxy casts – associated with chronic renal disease Other methods * Urine culture – a microbiological culture of urine samples, detecting bacteriuria, is indicated when a urinary tract infection is suspected. * Ictotest – this<unk> is used to detect the destruction of old red blood cells in the urine. * Hemoglobin<unk> – this<unk>  for hemolysis in the blood vessels, a rupture in the capillaries of the glomerulus, or hemorrhage in the urinary system, which cause hemoglobin to appear in the urine.
Clinical urine tests
Urine cytology
Urinary tract ultrasound
Urine test strip
Urine collection device
Renal ultrasonography
Urine organic acids
Cystometry