Urinalysis
Medical Author:
Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPH
Siamak T. Nabili, MD, MPHDr. Nabili received his undergraduate degree from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), majoring in chemistry and biochemistry. He then completed his graduate degree at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). His graduate training included a specialized fellowship in public health where his research focused on environmental health and health-care delivery and management. Medical Editor:
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical EditorMelissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.
Urinalysis OverviewUrinalysis (UA) simply means analysis of urine. This is a very commonly ordered test that is performed in many clinical settings such as hospitals, clinics, emergency departments, and outpatient laboratories. Urinalysis is a simple test, which can provide important clinical information, it has a quick turn-around time, and it is also cost effective. Urinalysis Used in Diagnosis and ScreeningUrinalysis is very a useful test in the diagnosis of and screening for many diseases and conditions. Results of a urinalysis may be helpful in:
Viewer Comments & ReviewsUrinalysis - DiagnosisThe eMedicineHealth physician editors ask:What did your urinalysis help diagnose? |
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Urinalysis
Acute Kidney Failure Overview
The kidneys are a pair of small (about the size of your fist) bean-shaped organs that lie on either side of your spine at just below your lowest ribs. They filter by-products and toxins from your blood and preserve the balance of bodily fluids and electrolytes.
- The kidneys excrete these compounds with water to make urine.
- They also eliminate excess body water while reabsorbing useful chemicals and allowing waste to pass freely into the bladder as urine.
- They allow a person to consume a variety of foods, drugs, vitamins and supplements, additives, and excess fluids without worry that toxic by-products will build up to harmful levels.
- The kidneys regulate the amount of various substances in the blood and the amount of water in the body.
Blood circulates through the kidneys for filtration.
- As the first step in filtrat...
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