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Urine pH test
pH - urine
A urine pH test measures the level of acid in urine.
How the Test is Performed
After you provide a urine sample, it is tested right away. The health care provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color change on the dipstick tells the provider the level of acid in your urine.
If needed, the provider may ask you to collect your urine at home over 24 hours. Your provider will tell you how to do this. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
How to Prepare for the Test
Your provider may tell you to stop taking certain medicines that can affect the results of the test. These may include:
- Acetazolamide
- Ammonium chloride
- Methenamine mandelate
- Potassium citrate
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Thiazide diuretic
DO NOT stop taking any medicine before talking to your provider.
Eat a normal, balanced diet for several days before the test. Note that:
- A diet high in fruits, vegetables, or non-cheese dairy products can increase your urine pH.
- A diet high in fish, meat products, or cheese can decrease your urine pH.
How the Test will Feel
The test involves only normal urination. There is no discomfort.
Why the Test is Performed
Your provider may order this test to check for changes in your urine acid levels. It may be done to see if you:
-
Are at risk of
kidney stones
. Different types of stones can form depending on how acidic your urine is.
Kidney stones
A kidney stone is a solid mass made up of tiny crystals. One or more stones can be in the kidney or ureter at the same time.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Need to take certain medicines to treat urinary tract infections. Some medicines are more effective when urine is acidic or non-acidic (alkaline).
Normal Results
The normal values range from pH 4.6 to pH 8.0.
The examples above are common measurements for results of these tests. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your doctor about the meaning of your specific test results.
What Abnormal Results Mean
A high urine pH may be due to:
- Kidneys that do not properly remove acids (kidney tubular acidosis, also known as renal tubular acidosis)
- Kidney failure
- Stomach pumping (gastric suction)
- Urinary tract infection
- Vomiting
A low urine pH may be due to:
- Diabetic ketoacidosis
- Diarrhea
-
Too much acid in the body fluids (
metabolic acidosis
), such as
diabetic ketoacidosis
Metabolic acidosis
Metabolic acidosis is a condition in which there is too much acid in the body fluids.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark ArticleDiabetic ketoacidosis
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body cannot use sugar (glucose) as a fuel ...
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Starvation
Risks
There are no risks with this test.
References
Fogazzi GB, Garigali G. Urinalysis. In: Johnson RJ, Feehally J, Floege J, eds. C omprehensive Clinical Nephrology . 5th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 4.
Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: history, physical examination, and urinalysis. In: Wein AJ, Kavoussi LR, Novick AC, et al, eds. Campbell-Walsh Urology . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 3.
McPherson RA, Ben-Ezra J. Basic examination of urine. In: McPherson RA, Pincus MR, eds. Henry's Clinical Diagnosis and Management by Laboratory Methods . 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2011:chap 28.
Remer T, Manz F. Potential renal acid load of foods and its influence on urine pH. J Am Diet Assoc . 1995;95(7):791-7. PMID: 7797810 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7797810 .
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
PH urine test - illustration
Some types of kidney stones are more prone to develop in alkaline urine and others are more likely to from in acidic urine. Monitoring the urine pH may be helpful in preventing the formation of kidney stones.
PH urine test
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
-
Female urinary tract - illustration
The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Female urinary tract
illustration
-
PH urine test - illustration
Some types of kidney stones are more prone to develop in alkaline urine and others are more likely to from in acidic urine. Monitoring the urine pH may be helpful in preventing the formation of kidney stones.
PH urine test
illustration
-
Male urinary tract - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
Review Date: 8/29/2015
Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
