Urinalysis

CPT: 81003

Synonyms

UA

Test Includes

Color; appearance; specific gravity; pH; protein; glucose; occult blood; ketones; leukocyte esterase; nitrite; bilirubin; urobilinogen;

Expected Turnaround Time

24 hours

Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.

Specimen Requirements

Specimen

Clean Catch Urine

Volume

1ml

Container

Sterile Urine Preservative tube

Collection

Obtain clean catch specimen in a sterile cup, transfer the urine to the UA preservative tube, label the tube and store the sample in the refrigerator

Storage Instructions

Room Temp., Refrigerated (2-8 C)

Stability Requirements

Room temp. 72hrs., Refrigerated 72 hours

Test Details

Use

It is one of the most common, simple, and relevant screening exam that provides clinicians with valuable information about general health status of a patient, including hydration, UTI, diabetes mellitus, and liver or renal disease.

Additional Information

Urinalysis is a fundamental diagnostic tool in clinical medicine, offering insights into a patient’s renal and metabolic health through several types of tests. Routine urinalysis comprises three major components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. The physical examination observes urine’s color, clarity, and odor. Normal urine is light yellow to amber, clear, and has a faint, non-offensive smell. Variations can be clinically significant: red or tea-colored urine may indicate hematuria or the presence of myoglobin or bilirubin, while cloudy urine might suggest infection or crystalluria. A fruity odor may point to ketonuria, often associated with diabetic ketoacidosis, whereas a foul smell could indicate a urinary tract infection.

The chemical analysis, typically performed with a reagent strip (dipstick), assesses multiple parameters:

  • pH, which normally ranges from 4.5 to 8.0, may become alkaline in the setting of a UTI or postprandial urine, and acidic in metabolic acidosis or with high-protein intake.
  • Specific gravity reflects urine concentration, with normal values between 1.005 and 1.030. Low specific gravity may suggest overhydration or diabetes insipidus, while high values are commonly seen in dehydration or SIADH.
  • Protein should be absent or minimal; its presence may signal glomerular pathology such as diabetic nephropathy or preeclampsia.
  • Glucose is normally undetectable; its presence typically indicates hyperglycemia due to uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.
  • Ketones may be found in conditions of increased fat metabolism like diabetic ketoacidosis, fasting, or low-carbohydrate diets.
  • Blood, either in the form of intact red cells, hemoglobin, or myoglobin, is always abnormal and necessitates further evaluation for causes such as urinary tract trauma, hemolysis, or rhabdomyolysis.

Microscopic examination identifies elements such as red and white blood cells, epithelial cells, casts, crystals, and microorganisms. Their presence can help localize urinary tract pathology—for instance, white cells and bacteria suggest infection, while red cell casts point toward glomerulonephritis.

References

Queremel Milani DA, Jialal I. Urinalysis. [Updated 2023 May 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557685/

Footnotes

Statement on Medical Necessity
All ordered tests should be medically necessary for the diagnosis or detection of disease, illness, impairment, symptom, syndrome, or disorder and the results should be used in the medical management and treatment decisions for the patient. Solaris requires ICD-10 codes with each order for lab testing and both the tests ordered and the diagnosis should be documented in the provider’s medical record for the patient. The United States Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, takes the position that a provider who orders medically unnecessary tests may be subject to civil penalties.

Panels and Profiles
Solaris offers Providers the convenience of ordering test combinations in a group at times with the flexibility to choose appropriate test(s) for individual patients. Providers should only order those tests that he or she believes are medically necessary for each patient, and a lesser inclusive profile or individual tests should be ordered if not all tests in the test combination/profile are medically necessary. All tests offered in a test combination/profile may be ordered separately as individual tests. Solaris encourages clients to contact their Solaris representative if the testing configurations shown do not meet individual needs for any reason, or if some other combination of procedures is needed.

CPT Codes
CPT Codes listed are in accordance with Current Procedural Terminology, a publication of the American Medical Association. CPT codes are the responsibility of the billing party and are listed here for informational purposes. Correct coding may vary from one carrier to another. Solaris may bill specific carriers using codes other than what is shown.

Questions?

For questions or inquiries related to testing please reach out to
customerservice@solarisdx.com or contact us by phone at (844) 550-0308.