Urine pH results must be evaluated with a patient's medical condition and clinical history. Factors to consider include:
- Respiratory and metabolic status
- Renal function
- Crystal or calculi formation
- Diet
Table 1 summarizes dietary and medical conditions as well as preexamination (preanalytical) and examination (analytical) errors that may affect urine pH.
Table 1. Urine pH: Acidic and Alkaline.| Condition | Acid pH
| Alkaline pH
|
High meat diet
| X
|
|
Vegetarian diet
|
| X
|
Respiratory/metabolic acidosis
| X
|
|
Respiratory/metabolic alkalosis
|
| X
|
Hypochloridemia
| X
|
|
High concentration of urine glucose
| X
|
|
Bacterial infection caused by urease-producing bacteria
|
| X
|
Prolonged storage of specimen at room temperature, allowing multiplication of urease-producing bacteria
|
| X
(above 8.5) |
Improper procedural technique; excess urine left on reagent strip, allowing acid buffer in protein pad to run over into adjacent pH pad (refers to some reagent strip configurations)
| X
|
|
Kidney failure
|
| X
|
| Urinary tract infections |
| X
|
Vomiting
|
| X
|
Diabetic ketoacidosis
| X
|
|
Diarrhea
| X
|
|
Starvation
| X
|
|
