Urinalysis is used as a screening and/or diagnostic tool because it can detect different metabolic and kidney disorders. In some conditions, it also provides an easy, economical, and relatively fast test to monitor ongoing patient progress, for example, if you want to know whether a condition is getting better or worse. However, a urinalysis cannot detect all disorders. In other words, even an unhealthy person might provide a "normal" urine sample.

A routine urinalysis may be done when you are admitted to the hospital. It may also be part of a wellness exam, a new pregnancy evaluation, or a work-up for a planned surgery. A urinalysis will most likely be performed if you see your health care provider complaining of abdominal pain, back pain, painful or frequent urination, or blood in the urine. This test can also be useful in monitoring whether a condition is getting better or worse.

Urinalysis results can have many interpretations. Normal urinalysis results do not mean there is no illness. Urinalysis is only one screening test that can provide a general overview of a person’s health. Your doctor must correlate the urinalysis results with your health complaints and other information available.

PLEASE NOTE: Numerically reported test results are interpreted according to the test's reference range, which may vary by the patient's age, sex, as well as the instrumentation or kit used to perform the test. A specific result within the reference (normal) range – for any test – does not ensure health just as a result outside the reference range may not indicate disease. To learn more about reference ranges, please see the article, Reference Ranges and What They Mean. To learn the reference range for your test, consult your doctor or laboratorian. Lab Tests Online recommends you consult your physician to discuss your test results as a part of a complete medical examination.