 Visual exam A laboratory technician will examine the urine's appearance. Urine is typically clear. Cloudiness or unusual  odor may indicate a problem. Blood in the urine may make it look red or brown. A cloudy appearance may indicate an infection.

 A dipstick — a thin, plastic stick with strips of chemicals on it — is placed in the urine to detect abnormalities. The chemical strips change color if certain substances are present or if their levels are above normal.

 The common chemical testing of urine utilizes commercial disposable teststrips.  Bayer's Multistix 10 SG test strips test for Glucose, Bilirubin, Ketone, Specific Gravity, Blood, pH, Protein, Urobilinogen, Nitrite, and Leukocyte Esterase.  A fresh urine specimen is collected in a clean, dry container. A Multistix strip is briefly immersed in the urine specimen, covering all reagent areas.

 The edge of the Multistix strip is run against the rim of the urine container to remove excess urine.

 The reactions can be read visually or automatically with a Clinitek reflection photometer. If the strip is evaluated visually, the strip test areas are compared to those on the Multistix color chart at the specified times. The results are recorded, and the strip is discarded.

 Acidity (pH). The pH level indicates the amount of acid in urine. Abnormal pH levels may indicate a kidney or urinary tract disorder.

 Concentration. A measure of concentration, or specific gravity, shows how concentrated particles are in your urine. Higher than normal concentration often is a result of dehydration, rather than another underlying medical condition. But, it may indicate a kidney disorder.

Urine protein levels are normally low and aren't detected by a dipstick test. Small increases in protein usually aren't a cause for concern. Larger amounts of protein in the urine may indicate a kidney problem.

 Normally the amount of sugar (glucose) in urine is too low to be detected. Any detection of sugar on this test usually calls for follow-up testing for diabetes.

 As with sugar, any amount of ketones detected in your urine could be a sign of diabetes and requires follow-up testing.

 Bilirubin is a product of red blood cell breakdown. Normally, bilirubin is carried in the blood and passes into your liver, where it's removed and becomes part of bile. Bilirubin in your urine may indicate liver damage or disease.

 Evidence of infection. Nitrites and leukocyte Esterase are produced as a result of an infection. If either nitrites or leukocyte esterase — a product of white blood cells — is detected in your urine, it may be a sign of a urinary tract infection

 The dipstick test can identify if red blood cells or other components of blood, such as hemoglobin, are present in your urine. Blood in your urine requires additional testing, as it may be a sign of kidney damage, kidney stones, infection, blood disorders or bladder cancer, among other disorders.

Several drops of the urine are examined with a microscope. If any of the following are observed in above-average levels, additional testing may be necessary.  White blood cells (leukocytes) may be a sign of an infection.  Red blood cells (erythrocytes) may be a sign of kidney disorders, blood disorders or another underlying medical condition, such as bladder cancer.

 Epithelial cells — cells that line your hollow organs and form your skin — in your urine may be a sign of a tumor. But, more often, they indicate that the urine sample was contaminated during the test, and a new sample is needed.

 Bacteria or yeasts may indicate an infection.  Casts — tube-shaped proteins — may form as a result of kidney disorders.  Crystals that form from chemicals in urine may be a sign of kidney stones.

 Urinalysis is not a test that provides a definitive diagnosis.  For example, if someone is otherwise healthy and has no signs or symptoms of illness, results slightly above normal on a urinalysis may not be a cause for concern and follow-up may not be needed. However, if you've been diagnosed with kidney or urinary tract disease, elevated levels may indicate a need to alter your treatment plan.

 Urinalysis is a common test that's done for several reasons:  To assess your overall health. A urinalysis may be used as part of a routine medical examination, pregnancy checkup, pre-surgery preparation, or on hospital admission to screen for a variety of disorders, such as diabetes, kidney disease and liver disease.  To diagnose a medical condition. A urinalysis may be evaluated if a patient is experiencing abdominal pain, back pain, frequent or painful urination, blood in your urine, or other urinary problems. Urinalysis may help diagnose the cause of these symptoms.  To monitor a medical condition. A urinalysis may be used to diagnose a medical condition, such as kidney disease or urinary tract disease, and this test may be used to monitor certain conditions and treatments.  