Urine pH: Acidic and Alkaline

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Urine pH: Acidic and Alkaline

Urine pH results must be evaluated in conjunction with a patient's medical condition and clinical history. Factors to be considered include:
  • Respiratory and metabolic status
  • Renal function
  • Crystal or calculi formation
  • Diet
Table 1 summarizes dietary and medical conditions as well as preanalytic and analytic errors that may affect urine pH.
Table 1. Urine pH: Acidic and Alkaline.
ConditionAcid 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 8.0)
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