Urinalysis: how to decrypt yourself?

The article will figure out how to decipher the analysis of urine.

OAM, or a general urine test, also called clinical, is one of the most commonly performed laboratory tests for diagnostic purposes. It is prescribed for many pathologies and sets up to twenty indicators, and each of them helps to correctly diagnose.

How to decrypt a urinalysis check is interesting to many. About it further.

urine analysis how to decipher

Destination purpose

At the same time as urine, many products of material metabolism are eliminated from the human body, and therefore, by its properties, one can indirectly talk about the state of the kidneys and urinary tract, and on the composition of the blood. Urine contains substances such as uric acid, urea, amino acids, ketone bodies, glucose, chlorides, creatinine, protein, phosphates and sulfates. Of great importance for diagnosis is the analysis of the microbiological and chemical composition of urine: any deviations from normal values ​​indicate metabolic disorders in the human body.

When is a general urine test necessary? Such a study is required for any pathologies of the endocrine and genitourinary systems, with suspected diabetes and impaired functioning of the immune and cardiovascular systems. In addition, a general urine test is prescribed for patients who have had streptococcal infection. It is also done for preventive purposes and as a method of monitoring the dynamics of diseases.

How to decipher the analysis of urine, not everyone knows.

Features of passing a general urine test

To reflect the present clinical picture in the results of the analysis, certain recommendations must be observed in preparation for the procedure, as well as for urine collection. The main requirements for the preparation of the patient are as follows: you need to buy in advance at the pharmacy or take a special sterile container from the doctor where the liquid is collected. The collection is carried out in the morning: it is desirable to take the morning urine, which accumulated overnight, for the study, and the average portion of urine is important for the collection. The night before, you must refuse to use any drugs that can affect the composition of urine (it is better to consult a specialist about this), as well as dyeing products (bay leaves, rhubarb, carrots and beets) and alcohol. They collect morning urine on an empty stomach, you can not drink or eat anything before this. Do not overheat or supercool before collecting biomaterial.

how to decipher a urinalysis general

Collection Rules:

  • It is recommended to collect from 100 to 150 milliliters (two-thirds of a special container);
  • you need to carefully conduct the toilet of the genitals before collecting: sometimes women are advised to use a swab;
  • when the fluid is collected, it must be brought to the laboratory as soon as possible (the delay should not exceed two hours);
  • if necessary, store the liquid for a while, you can put the container in a cool and dark place, but not too cold;
  • The container is recommended to be transported at positive temperatures in the range of 5 to 20 Β° C.

So, how to decipher a urinalysis?

General urine analysis indicators: a breakdown of the results

Thanks to the decoding of the urine analysis, you can figure out the results obtained before visiting the doctor. However, you should in no case engage in self-medication and self-diagnosis based on the information received: for a correct analysis of the finished results and determining the diagnosis, you should consult a doctor. Urine is examined in several categories, including microscopic studies, biochemical characteristics, and physico-chemical parameters.

How to decipher the general analysis of urine is described below.

Organoleptic properties

Volume. The volume of urine for analysis as a whole does not allow to draw certain conclusions about the defects of diuresis. It is required only to establish the specific gravity of urine, that is, relative density.

Diuresis refers to the volume of urine, which is formed over a certain period of time (minute or daily diuresis). Diuresis daily is usually equal to one and a half to two liters (from 70 to 80% of the drunk liquid). If daily diuresis increases, this phenomenon is called polyuria, and oliguria - decrease (less than 500 milliliters). How to decipher the general analysis of urine in a child? Every parent wants to know this. About it below.

The color of urine is determined by eye. The normal color of urine varies from straw to bright yellow. It is determined by the presence of coloring substances in the urine - uroerythrin, urosein and urobilin. Other shades may indicate certain pathologies of the body, for example: pink or red - the presence of a blood test; dark brown - hepatitis, jaundice; dark red - porphyrin disease, hemolytic crisis, hemoglobinuria; black color - alkaptonuria; whitish gray - pus; blue or green color - processes of intestinal rot.

Smell is not critical in a general urine test, since many foods that contain essential oils, smelling strongly, can give a specific liquid smell. However, some smells indicate certain deviations: the smell of ammonia - about cystitis; putrefactive - gangrenous processes in the urinary tract; fecal - E. coli; the smell of acetone - the presence in the urine of ketone bodies (ketonuria); rotting fish odor - accumulation of trimethylamine (trimethylaminuria) in the body. The smell of urine is normal to some extent specific, mild. If the container is open, then the smell becomes sharper, as oxidizing processes occur.

Foaminess. When the urine is shaken, normally there is almost no foam in it, but if it appears, it is unstable and transparent. When staining or resistance of the foam, we can talk about the presence of protein or jaundice in the urine.

Transparency. If a person is healthy, then it approaches absolute. The causes of turbidity are the presence of bacteria, red blood cells, salts, fats, pus and other substances. The presence of a substance can be determined using special techniques (adding various acids, heating, etc.). If epithelium, protein, bacteria or red blood cells were found in the urine, then we can talk about prostatitis, pyelonephritis, urolithiasis and other pathologies. White blood cells show cystitis. Salts that precipitate indicate the presence of oxalates, phosphates, urates.

How to decipher the general analysis of urine according to physico-chemical parameters?

how to decrypt urine test

physical and chemical indicators

Acidity. Normally, acidity ranges from 4 to 7 pH. A reduced indicator can indicate the presence of a number of diseases: increased potassium in the blood, chronic kidney failure, ureaplasmosis, thyroid hormones, cancer of the bladder or kidneys, etc. Increased acidity also occurs during starvation and dehydration, while taking a number of drugs, with excessive eating meat and heat. If the pH exceeds the norm, we can talk about a decrease in the degree of potassium, diabetes mellitus and defects in the blood acid-base balance.

Density. Urine specific gravity is an indicator that is due to age. How to decipher the analysis of urine in a child by this indicator?

For children after twelve years and adults, the norm is from 1.010 to 1.022 grams per liter, for children from four to twelve years from 1.012 to 1.020, from two to three years from 1.010 to 1.017, in newborns from 1.008 to 1.018. In urine, the density is determined depending on the amount of sugars, proteins, salts and other substances dissolved in it. In some diseases, this indicator becomes higher due to the presence of red blood cells, white blood cells and bacteria. An increased number may indicate infectious processes of the urinary tract, diabetes. In pregnant women, this speaks of toxicosis. In addition, the density may increase due to insufficient fluid intake or its loss. A reduced rate indicates kidney failure and diabetes insipidus. It may also appear with diuretics or heavy drinking.

How to decipher the results of urine analysis by biochemical parameters?

Biochemical parameters

Protein. Its normal concentration should be more than 0.333 grams per liter. If a higher rate is found, we can talk about inflammation of the genitourinary system, kidney disorders, allergic reactions, heart failure, epilepsy, leukemia. The amount of protein increases with heavy perspiration, strong physical exertion, long walking. Also, increased protein in urine is found in physically poorly developed children - from seven to sixteen years old, as well as pregnant women.

Glucose (sugar) in urine normally does not exceed the value of 0.8 mmol per liter. Elevated levels may be due to excessive consumption of sweets, diabetes, impaired renal function, Cushing's syndrome, acute pancreatitis, increased adrenaline due to inflammation of the adrenal glands. In addition, a high concentration of sugar in urine can occur in pregnant women.

Bilirubin is a bile pigment, it should be absent in the urine normally. Detection of it indicates a sharp increase in the content of bilirubin in the blood, as a result of which the kidneys are engaged in its excretion, take on this function (bilirubin is normally excreted completely through the intestines). If the level of this pigment is elevated in the urine, this indicates hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver failure, cholelithiasis. The cause can also be a massive destruction of red blood cells due to hemolytic disease, toxic hemolysis, malaria, sickle cell anemia.

Acetone (ketone bodies) is normal in a general urinalysis should not be determined. Their detection indicates metabolic disturbances as a result of a number of diseases: diabetes mellitus, thyrotoxicosis, acute pancreatitis, Itsenko-Cushing's disease. The formation of ketone bodies also occurs during fasting, increased consumption of fatty and protein foods, due to alcohol intoxication, toxicosis during pregnancy, after injuries that affect the central nervous system of a person.

How to decipher the analysis of urine according to microscopic studies?

how to decipher urinalysis common latin letters

Microscopic examination

Sludge (inorganic and organic). Sediment in the general analysis of urine means, after a short centrifugation, salt crystals, cylinders, cells. The various substances defined in the sediment will be described in more detail below.

Blood cells (white blood cells, red blood cells). Red blood cells, that is, red blood cells, can be present in urine in a small amount (for women - from zero to three in the field of view, for men - single). An increased concentration of red blood cells indicates serious diseases, for example, nephrotic syndrome, urolithiasis, kidney infarction, cancer of the prostate, bladder, kidney, acute glomerulonephritis. White blood cells determined in the sediment during the general analysis of urine can be the result of diseases of the urinary tract (cystitis, urethritis, prostatitis, urolithiasis, pyelonephritis). White blood cells are normal in children's and women's urine from zero to six in the field of view, in men - from zero to three. When establishing a high white blood cell count in the results of a general urine test, you need to visit a urologist who is most likely to prescribe additional tests - repeated OAM or along with the analysis of urine according to Nechiporenko, ultrasound of the kidneys, three-glassed sample. Often, all fears dissipate after additional and repeated studies.

Hyaline cylinders - cylindrical formations, which include the most protein and tubule cells in the kidneys. Normally, they should not be in the urine. Their detection (more than twenty in one milliliter) indicates glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis and hypertension. Such cylindrical formations can also appear with the use of diuretics.

Granular cylinders. Their composition is dominated by renal tubule cells and red blood cells. The presence of granular cylinders in the urine in any quantity indicates glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis and viral infections. There may also be lead poisoning.

Wax cylinders are formed due to the long presence in the lumen of the renal tubule of a granular or hyaline cylinder. Their presence in urine in any quantity indicates diseases such as chronic kidney failure, nephrotic syndrome, renal amyloidosis (deposition of amyloid, an insoluble protein in the renal tissue).

Bacteria. Their presence in the general analysis of urine indicates inflammatory processes of the urinary system. That is, bacteria should normally be absent. Their detection speaks of such infectious diseases as prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis, etc. For the result of the analysis to be reliable, thorough hygiene of the genitals is required before collecting the material.

Mushrooms in urine, which should not be normally detected, are the result of fungal infections of the external genitalia and urinary tract. In addition, they may indicate long-term use of antibiotics and immunodeficiency conditions. Deciphering the analysis of blood and urine is sometimes necessary when it is not possible to contact a medical institution.

Salt. Their absence in the urine is the norm, while the presence in the sediment is able to talk about the possibility of the formation of kidney stones.

An increased amount of urate (uric acid) can be the result of chronic kidney failure, jade, gout. Often, urate is the result of dehydration or a diet. The presence of urate in newborns is the norm.

Oxalates can appear due to pyelonephritis and diabetes mellitus, crystals of hippuric acid - due to liver failure and intestinal dysbiosis, phosphates - due to the high concentration of calcium in urine. But you must always remember that the definition of any salt is often associated with excessive consumption of a number of products, that is, their concentration can be reduced due to a change in diet.

How to decipher the general analysis of urine in Latin letters?

how to decipher the analysis of urine

Decoding of Latin letters in the study of urine

Currently, urine is processed by special analyzers, and the patient receives the results in a table with Latin letters, which can only be read by a doctor. The following shows how these letters are deciphered:

  • GLU is glucose (not normal).
  • PRO is a protein (should also be absent).
  • BIL is bilirubin (not normal).
  • URO is urobilinogen (five to ten milligrams per liter).
  • KET - normally missing ketone bodies.
  • PH is the acidity (from 5.0 to 6.0). Many people try to decrypt urinalysis in Latin letters, but not with milestones it turns out.
  • BLD is red blood cells (absent either from zero to three for women, from zero to one for men).
  • SG (SG) is a density, its norm is from 1.003 to 1.035.
  • LEUs are white blood cells (absent normally or from zero to six in the field of vision in women and from zero to three in men).
  • NIT - normal bacteria missing.
  • KET - normally missing ketone bodies.
  • COLOR - color indicators.

Now, how to decipher the general analysis of urine in Latin letters, it has become a little clearer.

how to decipher urine test results

Urine analysis according to Nechiporenko

A urinalysis according to Nechiporenko is prescribed in the case when a general blood or urine analysis in the patient showed deviations and the doctor needs to clarify the features of the pathology, confirm its presence, since the general analysis may not give the correct result in all cases.

How to decipher urine analysis according to Nechiporenko? Patients are also often interested in this. In most situations, such a study is not a substitute for a general analysis of urine, but only complements it. It is most often prescribed by nephrologists, therapists, surgeons, and urologists.

Advantages of this method:

  • easy for medical personnel to perform;
  • does not need expensive equipment;
  • does not require special difficulties in preparation;
  • does not require much urine.

The following deviations may become the basis for the appointment of a urinalysis according to Nechiporenko: an increase in the content of creatinine and urea; the presence of protein and white blood cells; traces of blood.

When do you need to decipher the results of a urinalysis according to Nechiporenko?

The study is prescribed for the diagnosis of chronic or acute diseases of the urinary system, kidneys, for example, with an ultrasound scan. For Nechiporenko analysis, the basis may be an increase in temperature without symptoms, systemic pathologies with a high risk of renal impairment, as well as preventive examinations. In addition, a periodic study is carried out in the treatment of diseases of the urinary organs in order to monitor the effectiveness of therapy.

How to decipher the analysis of urine, it is important to find out in advance.

The analysis is often prescribed for pregnant women, because it allows you to identify some diseases that can threaten the process of bearing a child and childbirth.

Norm indicators

Learn how to decipher the clinical analysis of urine from a printout?

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how to decipher a urinalysis common in a child

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  • More than 2000 / ml of leukocytes - vesiculitis, prostatitis, cystitis, appendicitis, bladder tumors, urolithiasis, fever, systemic lupus erythematosus, acute pancreatitis, glomerulonephritis, pyelonephritis.
  • More than 1000 / ml of red blood cells - stones in the bladder and kidneys, tumors of the bladder, kidneys and prostate, polyps, damage and trauma to the urinary organs, heart failure, purulent cystitis, hemophilia, vitamin C deficiency, systemic lupus erythematosus, kidney tuberculosis.

How to decipher the analysis of urine in a child according to a printout? This is the question most parents ask. Analysis may show the following:

  • The presence of dead red blood cells - glomerulonephritis, nephropathy, hypertension, nephrotic syndrome.
  • More than 20 / ml of hyaline cylinders - taking large amounts of diuretics, hypertension, pyelonephritis, emotional stress, glomerulonephritis, overheating and dehydration, toxicosis during pregnancy.
  • The presence of granular cylinders - malignant pyelonephritis along with urolithiasis, glomerulonephritis, infections, intoxication, systemic and autoimmune pathologies of connective tissue, hydronephrosis at the stage of structural renal changes, strong physical exertion.
  • Waxy cylinders indicate nephrotic syndrome, amyloidosis, chronic kidney failure, rejection of a transplanted kidney.
  • Erythrocyte cylinders: renal vein thrombosis, kidney infarction, hypertension, acute stage of glomerulonephritis.
  • Epithelial cylinders - intoxication, viral infection, acute tubular necrosis.

An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a urologist.

We examined how to decipher the general analysis of urine in adults and children.


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