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Urine Test - What To Think About
About this test
- Some urine tests can be done using a home test kit. For more information, see the topic Ketones or Home Test for Urinary Tract Infections.
- In some cases, the amount of urine you make in 24 hours may be measured. Most adults make about 1 qt (1 L) to 2 qt (2 L) per day. Children make about 0.3 qt (0.3 L) to 1.6 qt (1.5 L) per day.
- Other substances that may be checked during a urine test
include:
- Bilirubin. This is a substance formed by the breakdown of red blood cells. It is passed from the body in stool. Bilirubin is not found in urine. If it is present, it often means the liver is damaged or that the flow of bile from the gallbladder is blocked. For more information, see the topic Bilirubin.
- Urobilinogen. This is a substance formed by the breakdown of bilirubin. It is also passed from the body in stool. Only small amounts of urobilinogen are found in urine. Urobilinogen in urine can be a sign of liver disease (cirrhosis, hepatitis) that the flow of bile from the gallbladder is blocked.
- Bence Jones protein. This is an abnormal protein found in the urine of about 50% of people with a rare type of cancer called multiple myeloma. A urine test is often done when multiple myeloma is suspected. The protein test done during a regular urine test does not check for Bence Jones protein.
- Collecting a urine sample from a small child or baby is done by using a special plastic bag with tape around its opening. The bag is placed around the child's genitals until he or she urinates. Then you carefully removed the bag. To collect a urine sample from a very sick baby, a doctor may use a urinary catheter through the urethra or a needle through the baby's belly directly into the bladder (suprapubic tap).
- To lower the chance of contaminating the urine sample with bacteria, a health professional may collect a urine sample by using a urinary catheter. A catheter may be used to collect urine from a person in the hospital who is very ill or who cannot give a clean-catch sample. Using a catheter allows a clean sample to be collected.
- If an abnormal result is found during a urine test, more tests may be done, such as a urine culture, X-ray of the kidneys (intravenous pyelogram [IVP]), or cystoscopy. For more information, see the topics Urine Culture, Intravenous Pyelogram (IVP), and Cystoscopy.
| By: | Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: September 1, 2010 |
| Medical Review: | E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine Avery L. Seifert, MD - Urology | |
© 1995-2011 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
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