Laboratory examination of a urine sample for clinical information.
Abnormal concentrations of substances normally found in urine or presence of those that are not may indicate a disorder. Colour, specific gravity, or volume changes may reveal a specific disease or injury. Significant findings include high glucose and acetone in diabetes mellitus ; various nitrogen compounds, pigments, amino acids, and their metabolic products in disorders of the enzyme s that act on them; uric acid in gout ; and urea , albumin s, and globulin s in kidney disease. Hormones may be evidence of pregnancy or endocrine imbalance. Urinalysis can also detect poisons and drugs.