When examining a general urine test, many parameters are evaluated.
COLOR.
Normally, urine has a yellow color of various shades. The shade depends on the degree of saturation of urine with a special pigment - urochrome. A change in the color of urine can occur when taking certain medications (for example, vitamins can give a bright yellow color, aspirin - pink). However, much more often a change in the color of urine indicates the presence of any pathological processes in the body. When blood appears in the urine, which occurs in diseases of the kidneys and bladder, the urine becomes bright red (with renal colic, cystitis) or the so-called “color of meat slops” (with acute inflammatory kidney damage). With increased destruction of red blood cells (erythrocytes), urine acquires a reddish-brown hue. Yellow-brown (or beer-colored) urine occurs with liver diseases.
TRANSPARENCY.
Normally, transparency should be complete. Turbidity of urine can be the result of the presence in the urine of erythrocytes, leukocytes, epithelium, bacteria, fat droplets, precipitation of salts.
RELATIVE DENSITY (SPECIFIC WEIGHT).
This is an indicator that characterizes the amount of trace elements, salts, various compounds. Normally, the specific gravity is 1003 - 1035 g / l. This indicator may decrease in the presence of glucose or protein in the urine, with toxicosis of the first half of pregnancy, dehydration. An increase in specific gravity occurs in chronic renal failure, diabetes insipidus, and heavy drinking.
PROTEIN.
Protein content in urine is one of the most important indicators of kidney function. Normally, it shouldn't be. A small amount of protein in the urine (physiological proteinuria) can also be found in healthy people, while the protein concentration does not exceed 0.033 g / l, in modern laboratories with more sensitive equipment - 0.14 g / l. The appearance of protein in the urine is noted in diseases of the kidneys, inflammatory diseases of the bladder and urinary tract. The presence of protein in the urine, combined with increased blood pressure and edema, is a sign of a serious complication of pregnancy - late preeclampsia, which can lead to seizures and even death of a pregnant woman and fetus.
GLUCOSE.
Normally, there is no glucose in the general urine test. However, in the second half of pregnancy, the presence of glucose in the urine (glucosuria) can normally be detected. This is due to increased filtration of glucose in the kidneys. Since the appearance of glucose in the urine can be a sign of a serious illness - diabetes mellitus, acute inflammation of the pancreas, all patients with glucosuria need an additional examination - blood glucose control, sometimes even a glucose tolerance test with a sugar load - determination of blood glucose on an empty stomach and 2 hours after taking 75 grams of glucose.
BILIRUBIN.
This is a blood pigment that is formed as a result of metabolic processes in the body and is excreted with bile into the gastrointestinal tract. With an increase in the concentration of bilirubin in the blood, it begins to be excreted by the kidneys and found in the urine. This occurs mainly with liver damage or mechanical obstruction of the outflow of bile.
UROBILINOGEN.
It is a product of the conversion of bilirubin. Normally, it is excreted in the bile and practically does not enter the urine. The appearance of urobilinogen in the urine occurs in liver diseases, poisoning, increased decay of red blood cells - erythrocytes.
KETONE BODIES.
These are products formed during the breakdown of fatty acids in the body. Normally, there are no ketone bodies in the urine test. Determining them is very important in diagnosing the adequacy of diabetes therapy. The appearance of ketones can occur in the first trimester of pregnancy with early toxicosis and indicate dehydration.
NITRITES.
These are salts of nitrous acid, they are not normally found in the urine. Their appearance indicates the presence of a urinary tract infection.
LEUKOCITES.
These are white blood cells. Normally, in the general analysis of urine, leukocytes are found up to 5 in the field of view. If the number of leukocytes is increased, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the kidneys, bladder or urethra, while the higher the number of leukocytes, the more pronounced the inflammation. A slight increase in the number of leukocytes can be observed if vaginal discharge enters the urine with a poor toilet of the external genitalia.
erythrocytes.
Red blood cells. Normally, in the general analysis of urine there should be no more than 2 erythrocytes in the field of view. An increase in their number occurs in the presence of stones in the kidneys or urinary tract, inflammation of the kidneys, injuries.
CYLINDERS.
Cylindrical urine sediment elements, consisting of protein or cells, may also contain various inclusions. Normally absent. They are found mainly in diseases of the kidneys.
SALT.
These are inorganic substances that can precipitate when standing urine. Normally, there are no salts in the urine. The appearance of urates in the urine occurs whenkidney failure, as well as in the first trimester of pregnancy with vomiting of pregnant women.
AMORPHOUS PHOSPHATES.
They are also found with vomiting of pregnant women, with inflammation of the bladder, and can occur normally with a predominance of vegetable and dairy foods in the diet.
OXALATES.
They occur with inflammation of the kidneys, diabetes mellitus, as well as with the predominance of foods rich in oxalic acid in the diet (spinach, sorrel, tomatoes, asparagus).
BACTERIA.
Isolation of bacteria in the urine is of significant diagnostic value during pregnancy. The appearance of bacteria in the urine indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the kidneys, bladder or urethra and requires mandatory treatment, even if the expectant mother is not worried about anything. Bacteria can also enter the urine from the vagina when the toilet of the external genitalia is poor. To determine the number of bacteria, their type and sensitivity to antibiotic therapy, an additional urine culture for flora is mandatory. To obtain the correct result of this analysis, after a thorough toilet of the external genital organs, close the vagina with a cotton swab, collect the middle portion of urine in a sterile container, tighten the lid tightly and deliver it to the laboratory within one and a half to two hours. Urine culture is prepared on average from 7 to 10 days and allows the doctor to decide whether it is necessary to carry out antibacterial treatment, and with what drugs.