Occult blood, urobilinogen, WBC-esterase, and nitrite are substances that may be present in urine and can indicate infections if found. Normal urine is a shade of yellow and clear, while abnormal appearances like cloudy, milky, red, or orange urine may suggest issues like infections or other medical conditions. Understanding urinalysis results involves considering factors like a person's physical characteristics, medical history, medications, and lifestyle habits.

1. Index No. PAMPHLET-005
Issue No. 003
OCCULT BLOOD Get all our other brochures, too!
PANTEX OCCUPATIONAL
Occult blood is blood that cannot be seen
without a microscope. Normal urine does not 001 – Occupational Medicine Program Overview
MEDICINE
contain any red blood cells, except females’
urine during menstruation. 002 – Understanding Your Blood Chemistry Healthcare Assessment, Wellness Programs
Occult blood in someone’s urine can indicate 003 – Your Complete Blood Count & Differential & Case Management
kidney, bladder, prostate, or vaginal infections. 004 – Cholesterol & Triglycerides
UROBILINOGEN 006 – Reporting Your Medications
Urobilinogen is a breakdown product of the 007 – Diabetic Control
hemoglobin in red blood cells. 008 – High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
It is not found in normal urine!
Urobilinogen in a urine specimen may indicate
Understanding
the rapid destruction of red blood cells.
WBC-ESTERASE
Your
The acronym means “White Blood Cell”
because WBC-esterase is an enzyme contained
CONTACTS! Urinalysis
in white blood cells that is not found in normal
urine. Results
Pantex Occupational Medicine
WBC-esterase in the urine suggests a bladder,
P. O. Box 30020 MS 12-2
prostate, vaginal, or kidney infection. Amarillo, TX 79120-0020
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Nitrite is a by-product of bacterial growth.
Normal urine does not contain measurable Emergencies – ALL SHIFTS:
levels of nitrite. 806-477-3333
The presence of nitrite in a urine specimen
indicates the presence of bacteria in the Off Shift:
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2. Trace amounts of protein can be normal in
athletic individuals.
SPECIMEN COLOR
Protein is sometimes seen in male urine due to
Normal urine is a shade of YELLOW. leakage from the prostate.
Milky urine may indicate the presence of white Protein in the urine can indicate a bladder or
UNDERSTANDING YOUR blood cells or crystals. kidney infection or chronic kidney disease.
PHYSICAL Red urine may indicate the presence of red For diabetics with high blood pressure, urine
Laboratory values are evaluated as part of a blood cells or a diet high in red beets. protein can indicate serious kidney damage.
person’s complete health status. Many people Orange urine may be the result of bile in the
normally have some values outside of the URINE GLUCOSE (SUGAR)
urine and usually suggests liver disease. It may
statistical range specified as “normal.” This also indicate dehydration, or excess beta Normal urine does not contain any glucose.
does not necessarily indicate the presence of carotene from some vitamin B combinations Glucose can occasionally be seen during
disease or other problem. and/or carrot juice. pregnancy.
Age, gender, pregnancy, genetics, chronic SPECIFIC GRAVITY Glucose usually spills into the urine when the
medical conditions, prescription medications, blood sugar level exceeds 200 mg./dl.
over-the-counter medications, diet, or herbs Specific gravity is a measure of the amount
may affect the normal range of any test. In of material dissolved in the urine. Normal Glucose in the urine (in the absence of
some cases, disease or other problems may be urine has a specific gravity between 1.010 pregnancy) almost always indicates the
present even when the tests are normal. and 1.020. presence of diabetes.
Discuss any unusual or abnormal findings KETONES
A low specific gravity usually indicates water
with your personal physician. overload or the inability of the kidney to Normal urine does not contain any ketones.
URINE SPECIMEN APPEARANCE concentrate urine.
Ketones indicate that the body is destroying
Normal urine is clear. Cloudy urine indicates protein at an unusually rapid rate.
A high specific gravity usually indicates
the presence of crystals, blood cells or bacteria. dehydration, a high salt diet, or infection. Ketones can be the result of excessive fasting,
Crystals in the urine might indicate a problem a high protein diet (such as the Adkins diet) or
such as dehydration and increases the risk of URINE pH can suggest a serious complication of diabetes
kidney or bladder stones. called “keto-acidosis”.
Urine pH is an acid-base measurement.
Red blood cells in urine may indicate a stone in Normal urine has a slightly acid pH (5.0 - 6.0). BILIRUBIN
the bladder or kidney, a cancer, or an infection. A lower pH (more acidic) is usually the result Bilirubin is a normal body by-product (bile).
Red blood cells are normal in females’ urine of eating acidic foods. Normal urine does not contain any bilirubin.
during menstruation.
Higher pH (more basic) urine may indicate the Bilirubin in the urine may indicate liver disease.
White blood cells in urine are often associated consumption of antacids or pH-basic foods. It may also be seen in very dehydrated
with bladder, kidney, or vaginal infections. High pH urine indicates more susceptibility to individuals.
Urine bacteria usually indicate a bladder, infection.
Very high levels are found in infectious
kidney, or vaginal infection. PROTEIN hepatitis and in end-stage cirrhosis (scarring of
the liver.)
Normal urine does not contain any protein.