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Analyte |
Reference range |
Result interpretation |
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Dipstick test |
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pH |
4.5-8.0, usually 5.0-6.0 |
↓ High-protein diet, fever ↑ Low-protein diet, renal tubular acidosis |
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Specific gravity |
1.023-1.035 g/mL |
↓ Impaired renal function, diabetes insipidus, electrolyte disorders (hypercalcemia, hypokalemia), hypothyroidism/hyperthyroidism ↑ Significant glycosuria, medication (mannitol, dextran), contrast media |
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Protein |
Absenta |
↑ Overflow, glomerular, tubular, or mixed proteinuria |
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Glucose |
Absenta |
↑ Uncontrolled diabetes, tubular glycosuria |
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Ketone bodies (acetoacetate) |
Absenta |
↑ Ketosis/ketoacidosis |
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Bilirubin |
Absenta |
↑ Hepatic/obstructive jaundice, hemolytic states |
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Urobilinogen |
<1 mg/dL |
↑ Hemolytic states ↓ Obstructive jaundice |
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RBCs/Hb |
Absenta |
↑ Erythrocyturia/hematuria |
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Leukocyte esterase |
Absenta |
↑ Leukocyturia, UTI |
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Nitrites |
Absenta |
↑ Bacteriuria, UTI |
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Microscopic examination |
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RBCs |
<3/HPF |
↑ Erythrocyturia/hematuria: glomerular (dysmorphic RBCs), extraglomerular (isomorphic RBCs) |
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WBCs |
<4/HPF |
↑ Leukocyturia, UTI |
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Bacteria |
Absent |
↑ Asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTI Note: Culture should be performed for qualitative and quantitative analysis of bacteriuria; bacteria in the urine sediment are found mostly due to sample contamination |
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Squamous epithelial cells |
3-5/HPF |
↑ UTI |
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Tubular epithelial cells |
Absent |
↑ Tubular damage |
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Casts |
Hyaline |
≤3/HPF |
Nonspecific |
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Granular |
Absent |
↑ Renal parenchymal damage |
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WBC |
Absent |
↑ Possible pyelonephritis or interstitial nephritis |
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RBC |
Absent |
↑ Possible glomerulonephritis |
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Epithelial cell |
Absent |
↑ Tubular damage |
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a Concentration or cell count other than physiologic is considered abnormal. |
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↑, increase; ↓, decrease; HPF, high-power field; RBC, red blood cell; UTI, urinary tract infection; WBC, white blood cell. |
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