Lab

Urine pH

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Urine pH

  • Normal
  1. 4.5-8.0 (usually 5.5 to 6.5)
  • Background
  1. Urine pH reflects serum pH except with RTA
  2. In Renal Tubular Acidosis (RTA), Urine pH >5.5
    1. Urine cannot be acidified despite acid load
  • Increased (Alkalotic urine)
  1. Stale ammoniacal sample (Very high pH)
    1. Void testing if old sample
  2. Bacteriuria
    1. Reflects urea splitting organisms
    2. Associated with Magnesium-ammonium phosphate crystals
  3. Vegetarian diet
  4. High citrate diet
  5. Renal Failure
  6. Drugs
    1. Antibiotics
    2. Bicarbonate
    3. Acetazolamide
  • Decreased (Acidic urine)
  1. Acidosis
  2. Diabetes Mellitus
  3. Starvation
  4. Diarrhea
  5. Uric Acid Calculi
  6. Acidic fruits (Cranberry)
  7. Drugs
    1. Ammonium chloride