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Urology (Expert Forum)
normal dipstick test results
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
Kevin Pho, MD
Boston - MA
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Mar 07, 2003 12:00AM
, Mar 07, 2003 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for asking your question.
Protein:
Normally, the amount of protein (specifically albumin) in urine is not detectable. When protein urine is high, you have a condition called proteinuria; this can be an early sign of kidney disease. Other conditions that can also produce proteinuria include
Disorders that produce high amounts of proteins in the blood include multiple myeloma; conditions that destroy red blood cells; inflammation, malignancies, or injury of the urinary tract (for example, the bladder, prostate, or urethra); and
vaginal secretions that get into urine.
Sugar:
Glucose is normally not present in urine. When glucose is present, the condition is called glucosuria. It results from either an excessively high glucose concentration in the blood (for example, when individuals with diabetes mellitus are not appropriately medicated with insulin) or a kidney problem where the ability to absorb glucose is diminished or absent.
Some other conditions that can cause glucosuria include hormonal disorders, liver disease, medications, and pregnancy. Therefore, when glucosuria occurs, your blood and urine need to be tested further to identify the specific cause.
Blood:
The small number of RBCs normally present in urine usually result in a “negative” test. However, when the number of RBCs increases, it creates a “positive” test result.
Even small increases in the amount of RBCs in urine are significant. Numerous diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, as well as trauma, medications, smoking, or strenuous exercise, can cause hematuria (RBCs in urine) or hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine).
If any of these results are positive, I would repeat the test in a few weeks for confirmation.
I strongly suggest followup with your personal physician.
I stress that this answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
Protein:
Normally, the amount of protein (specifically albumin) in urine is not detectable. When protein urine is high, you have a condition called proteinuria; this can be an early sign of kidney disease. Other conditions that can also produce proteinuria include
Disorders that produce high amounts of proteins in the blood include multiple myeloma; conditions that destroy red blood cells; inflammation, malignancies, or injury of the urinary tract (for example, the bladder, prostate, or urethra); and
vaginal secretions that get into urine.
Sugar:
Glucose is normally not present in urine. When glucose is present, the condition is called glucosuria. It results from either an excessively high glucose concentration in the blood (for example, when individuals with diabetes mellitus are not appropriately medicated with insulin) or a kidney problem where the ability to absorb glucose is diminished or absent.
Some other conditions that can cause glucosuria include hormonal disorders, liver disease, medications, and pregnancy. Therefore, when glucosuria occurs, your blood and urine need to be tested further to identify the specific cause.
Blood:
The small number of RBCs normally present in urine usually result in a “negative” test. However, when the number of RBCs increases, it creates a “positive” test result.
Even small increases in the amount of RBCs in urine are significant. Numerous diseases of the kidney and urinary tract, as well as trauma, medications, smoking, or strenuous exercise, can cause hematuria (RBCs in urine) or hemoglobinuria (hemoglobin in urine).
If any of these results are positive, I would repeat the test in a few weeks for confirmation.
I strongly suggest followup with your personal physician.
I stress that this answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.
