What is the normal pH level in a routine urinalysis?
Disease description:
Yesterday, I had a routine urinalysis at the hospital. What is the normal pH level in a routine urinalysis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang
The acidity or alkalinity of urine, measured as pH value, is an important parameter in routine urinalysis. It reflects the body's acid-base balance and the kidney's ability to regulate this balance. Under normal conditions, the pH of urine ranges between 4.6 and 8.0, typically maintained within a narrower range of 5.0 to 7.5.
The pH of urine is not constant and can be influenced by several factors, including:
1. Diet: The type and quantity of food consumed can directly affect urine pH. For example, a high-protein diet may lead to more acidic urine, whereas a vegetarian diet may result in more alkaline urine.
2. Medications: Drugs such as diuretics and antibiotics may alter the pH of urine.
3. Diseases: Conditions such as diabetes, gout, acidosis, and alkalosis may also cause abnormal urine pH.
Consistently low pH values may be associated with kidney stone formation, especially uric acid and cystine stones, whereas high pH values may indicate infection, renal tubular acidosis, or certain types of kidney stones.
