Urine tests are used for a variety of purposes. In addition to detecting health problems, this test is also done to determine pregnancy and the use of certain substances. So, want to know what are the uses of a urine test and what is the process? Come on, see the following discussion.
A urine test is carried out using a urine sample for later analysis in the laboratory. This test is generally used for the purpose of diagnosing various types of diseases.
In conducting a urine test, there are several factors that can be used as an assessment, ranging from physical appearance (color, clarity, odor), pH (acid and alkaline levels), to certain substances, such as glucose, protein, white and red blood cells, bilirubin, crystals, or bacteria.
Urine Test Function
Urine tests can be done for several purposes, namely:
1. Determining pregnancy
A urine test is the most common type of test used to determine pregnancy. This test can detect the presence of the hormone hCG (human chorionic gonadotropin) produced by the placenta.
You can freely do a urine test for pregnancy using a pregnancy test kit or test pack which are sold freely in pharmacies or visit the nearest clinics and hospitals.
2. Detects harmful substances in the body
Urine tests can detect the presence of harmful substances in a person's body, such as opioids, benzodiazepines, barbiturate, phencyclidine, marijuana, methamphetamine, amphetamine, and cocaine.
This test is usually done on athletes, students or college students, office workers, and addicts or people suspected of abusing drugs.
3. Monitor disease progression
In addition to detecting the presence of harmful substances in the body, urine tests can also be done to monitor the progress of the disease and the body's response to the treatment being undertaken.
This test can be done in people with diabetes, kidney infections, lupus, and liver disease.
4. Diagnosing disease
It was previously mentioned that urine tests are often used for disease diagnosis purposes. Your doctor will usually recommend that you do a urine test if you experience symptoms of urinary tract problems, such as abdominal pain, back pain, frequent urination, and blood in the urine.
Urine tests are also done to diagnose diseases, such as kidney stones, kidney inflammation, the presence of protein in the urine, muscle damage (rhabdomylosis), uncontrolled blood sugar or diabetes, and urinary tract infections.
5. Routine health checks
In addition to detecting disease, urine tests are also done for routine medical evaluations or assessing a person's overall health. This medical evaluation may include annual general screening, preoperative assessment of the patient's condition, as well as screening for kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and liver disease.
Normal Urine Test Results
Before the urine test is performed, you are asked to collect a urine sample of 30–60 ml in a special container. The sample will then be examined and tested in the laboratory.
Later, the urine sample will be analyzed in three ways, namely a visual test, a dipstick, and macroscopic test. Here is the explanation:
Visual test
Visual test is done by checking the appearance of urine. Normal urine is usually clear, while cloudy and smelly urine can indicate a health problem such as an infection. In addition, urine can also contain blood if it looks red or brown.
Test dipstick
This stage of urine test analysis uses a thin plastic stick with a chemical strip on it. Well, this chemical strip is placed in the urine to detect certain medical conditions. This chemical strip will change color if the urine contains certain substances.
Microscopic test
Urine examination at this stage is done using a microscope to detect the presence of white blood cells, red blood cells, bacteria, protein, or crystals. If these components are found in the urine, additional testing is necessary.
If you are declared healthy, have no symptoms of disease, and the urine test results are normal, further treatment is not necessary. However, if the results of the examination of your urine sample detect a health problem, the doctor will take appropriate treatment.