Microscopic exam: With these tests, a small sample of urine is examined under a microscope for abnormal crystals, bacteria, or cell types.Cloudy or discolored urine can indicate an infection or various problems with your metabolism.

Visual inspection: This is a simple visualization of a urine sample for color and clarity.What are the different types of urine tests?īelow is a list of common urinalysis tests by type, and what kinds of problems these tests might be used to identify. Seeing where your results fall in - or outside of - the normal range of values can tell your doctor a lot about how well your body is working overall, or what body system might be responsible for symptoms you may be having. Balance is important, and any change in the normal range of these substances can lead to serious symptoms.Ī urinalysis is a basic urine test that measures the amounts of different substances in your urine. Many electrolytes and minerals that your body uses for normal functioning can serve a purpose in one area of the body and cause a problem in another. For example, potassium can have a critical effect on your heart function, while calcium and magnesium are used by your muscles. Different substances play bigger roles in different areas of your body. A more detailed analysis of the substances in your urine can give other clues about how well your different organ systems are functioning.Įach body system uses a specific formula of minerals or solutions - called electrolytes - to trigger and regulate activity. The color, odor, and clarity of urine can be used to indicate kidney health or even signal an infection. Urine tests reveal a lot of information about you. What are urine tests used for and what can they show?

Random urine sodium normal range