Lab-Urinalysis Investigation

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Background Homeostasis is the maintenance of a relatively stable internal environment. Just as your pancreas regulates blood sugar by the release of insulin and glucagon, the kidneys contribute to ... the maintenance of internal homeostasis by regulating the volume, pH and composition of the blood while removing water and metabolic wastes. All organisms produce waste that must be removed. In humans, urine is the fluid produced by the kidneys as they work to remove nitrogenous waste from the blood. Urine is a watery fluid containing excess salts, nitrogenous wastes, and a variety of organic molecules. The concentration of each of these substances depends on the person’s health, diet and degree of activity. The analysis of a urine sample is called urinalysis and includes a physical, chemical and visual examination. Physicians can evaluate the general health of an individual by testing the chemical composition of urine in order to monitor certain diseases such as diabetes mellitus, proteinuria, phenylketonuira, acidosis, alkalosis, and other kidney disorders. Results from urinalysis may also be used to detect drug abuse, pregnancy, kidney damage, liver diseases, trauma, or infections ( i.e urinary tract infections). Urinalysis is often performed in tandem with blood tests. Normal urine is a transparent solution with a light yellow to amber colour. The colour of urine is strongly influenced by concentration, diet and hormones. The pH of normal urine ranges from 4.8-7.5, the average pH is 6.6. Physical abnormalities such as a red colour or uncharacteristic odours often provide medical professionals with a starting point for further investigations. A urine sample with a “sweetish” odour suggests the presence of unusually high ketones in the urine which may indicate diabetes, starvation or insufficient intake of carbohydrates. A red or pinkish colour in the urine may indicate the presence of a urinary tract infection [Show More]

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