What does high or low urine pH mean - what is the established norm?

How to prepare for submitting material for research

12 hours before the urine collection procedure, a woman should exclude marinades, honey, alcohol, spicy foods and smoked foods from her diet.

Some vegetables and fruits can affect the color of urine, so you should not eat beets, carrots and other similar products before collecting it.

For the same reason, you should not take multivitamins on the eve of urine collection. It is not recommended to take diuretics before submitting your urine for analysis.

You should not collect urine during menstruation. On the eve of urine collection, it is better to avoid stress , both emotional and physical.

If a woman has undergone a cystoscopy procedure, it is better to give urine for analysis after 5-7 days.

A woman should begin the urine collection procedure by thoroughly cleaning her external genitalia.

If this requirement is neglected, the study may show a high count of white blood cells and red blood cells, which indicates nephrotic syndrome, liver disease and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus.

A reduced specific gravity indicates diabetes insipidus, chronic renal failure, and acute pathologies of the renal tubules.

Protein is a sign of urinary tract tumors , chronic and acute pyelonephritis, and inflammatory processes of the urinary tract.

There should be no glucose in the urine. If it is detected, this may indicate a large amount of carbohydrates taken, or myocardial infarction, acute pancreatitis, diabetes mellitus, or severe injuries.

Red blood cells inform about tumors of the genitourinary system, infectious diseases of the urinary tract, poisoning, arterial hypertension, etc.

A high level of leukocytes indicates the development of pathologies of the urinary system.

An increased amount of mucus informs about inflammatory processes affecting the lower sections of the tract that excrete urine.

Ketone bodies (acetoacetic acid, hydroxybutyric acid, acetone) indicate pathologies of metabolic processes and require more thorough diagnosis.

An increase in the number of cylinders informs about the accumulation of various substances and cells in the nephron tubules.

The presence of salts indicates tubulopathy and urolithiasis.

Bacteria, fungi and parasites indicate the presence of a pathogen and the need for targeted therapy.

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Aciduria

Aciduria (acid reaction) - pH below 7, can be explained by the following reasons:

• the predominance of meat and high-protein foods in the diet;
• intense physical and sports activities, work in hot production, hot climates contribute to an increase in acidity due to dehydration of the body;
• diabetes mellitus (diabetic ketoacidosis);
• various pathologies with metabolic or respiratory acidosis (increased acidity in the body): leukemia, gout, uric acid diathesis, treatment with cytostatics (while the kidneys are strenuously trying to restore balance);
• taking medications that “acidify” urine (ascorbic acid, Ca chloride);
• renal failure;
• inflammatory kidney diseases (tuberculosis, pyelonephritis);
• septic condition, a large number of bacteria in the blood (“blood poisoning”);
• prolonged fasting, lack of carbohydrates in the diet;
• alcohol abuse.

Normal TAM indicators by age

The norms of general urine analysis in women in the table and their interpretation:

Alkalinization of urine

Alkalinization of urine is a natural biochemical process that blocks the negative effects of organic acids. It, along with regulating body temperature and heart rate, forms the basis for the proper functioning of all vital systems of the body.

pH test strip

Maintaining the acid-base balance is the key to the normal course of all physiological processes. Therefore, in saliva, blood, urine and other fluids of the human body, the acidity indicator must be at the required level. Otherwise, homeostasis will be disrupted, which will negatively affect health.

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Equilibrium in the body is established by four buffer-type mechanisms, among them: protein, hemoglobin, phosphate and bicarbonate. Each system takes part in the binding of hydrogen ions. Deviation from normal pH levels provokes:

• Protein denaturation.
• Enzymes lose their functions.
• Violation of intercellular interaction.
• Lack of minerals.
• Decreased immune system resistance.
• Creating a favorable environment for the development of many serious pathologies.
• Disruption of protein metabolism.
• Intoxication with fat-soluble poisons, due to problems with their elimination from the body.

The bicarbonate buffer mechanism has the greatest influence, without which the formation of carbonic acid is impossible. It comes out due to the release of carbon dioxide molecules. This compound is created by the combination of excess hydrogen ions and similar bicarbonate particles.

Body oxidation is more common than alkalization. Both processes are harmful, but an increase in acidity acts an order of magnitude faster. They get rid of its consequences through the principle of moderation, that is, through alkalization. This method is often used in the treatment of cancer. This type of therapy began to be used after 1932.

Then scientist Otto Warburg identified the following pattern: healthy cells of the body quickly degenerate into malignant ones due to the low pH level in the blood (less than 7.2 units). This assumption was confirmed when additional research was carried out. Tumors noticeably decreased and slowed down their development while maintaining acid-base balance. Of course, it is impossible to completely cure cancer in this way, but the chances of recovery for patients have increased significantly.

Alkalinization of the body is used for preventive purposes. An example of such a therapeutic effect is diet. A well-thought-out course of special nutrition can stabilize the acid-base balance. Supervision by a specialist is mandatory, because each patient is individual, and violating the fragile boundary between therapy and worsening the problem is quite easy. Alkalinization does not need to be stimulated, much less increased. It is required to maintain it at a level that is carried out by eating the “right” foods and breathing exercises.

Not everyone knows that when you inhale, oxidation occurs, and when you exhale, alkalization occurs. This process is regulated in the brain. Therefore, when carrying out such prevention, physical stress on the body is taken into account. Food products are divided into two categories. The first, “oxidizing”, as written above, includes meat and fish products. The second, “alkalizing”, includes fruits, vegetables and milk. Prescribing a diet and other additional procedures on your own is strictly prohibited. Such treatment, if approached incorrectly, can easily turn into harm.

Alkaline urine reaction is accompanied by:

• Acid accumulation.
• Skin rashes caused by inflammatory processes, which are triggered by a decrease in the body's defenses.
• Problems with the formation of carbonic acid.
• Malfunctions of the respiratory system.
• Kidney pathologies due to excessive amounts of oxalic and uric acids.
• Inflammation in the oral cavity (stomatitis), weakness of tooth enamel.

Health problems often arise due to stressful situations. This is due to the fact that an “excited” state causes disruption of all body functions. Toxins and “acidic” waste are not completely eliminated, which leads to the above-mentioned consequences. Therefore, to get rid of acidic or alkaline urine, you should avoid negative emotions. Yoga, fitness, and meditation will help with this. On the recommendation of your doctor, you can take a course of sedatives.

Normal indicators

Physiological processes proceed without the formation of pathological changes if the pH is normal (7.37-7.44 units), that is, if the reaction is neutral. If an indicator is obtained that is lower, the body is said to be oxidized. If the pH is greater than the upper limit of the permissible norm, then an alkaline urine reaction is diagnosed.

Deviations can be short-term or permanent. The latter fit into the clinical picture of diseases of the urinary system of the body. Short-term ones are not pathological in nature if they are in the range from 4.5 to 8 units. They appear during sleep if a person is hungry or too full. Morning and evening pH levels should be normal.

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The activity of hydrogen particles in urine depends on age and individual characteristics. For example, in healthy newborns the norm is 5.4-5.9 units, in premature babies 4.8 to 5.4 units. After some time, the pH stabilizes. The norm for pregnant women is the same as for other adult patients, but the reasons for the deviations are somewhat different.

During pregnancy, the load on the entire body increases, in particular on those organs located in the abdominal cavity. If the pH has decreased, then the patient suffers from toxicosis or potassium deficiency. An increase in this indicator indicates the presence of protein products in the diet.

Acid urine reaction

If a laboratory test of urine reveals an acidic reaction, what does this mean? Acidification of urine can occur due to:

• Eating a large amount of meat dishes and baked goods.
• Diseases of the genitourinary system of the body.
• Excessive administration of saline solution.
• An inflammatory process localized in the kidneys and bladder.
• Allergies (especially in young children).
• Harmful addictions (alcoholism, smoking).

  
  Acidification of urine can occur due to smoking

• Physical activity.
• Depressive state.
• Diabetes type.
• Inclusions of ammonium chloride, calcium chloride, arginine hydrochloride, Methionine, Corticotropin, and ascorbic acid in the therapy.
• Problems with the buffer system.

If such a deviation is detected, the attending physician prescribes additional tests that make it possible to determine the causes of its occurrence. If necessary, other diagnostic methods are used.

Alkaline urine reaction

With an alkaline urine reaction, doubts most often arise about proper nutrition. Excessive consumption of dairy products, vegetables and fruits confirms the suspicions. But if the diet is properly balanced, the organs of the excretory system should be checked. Perhaps an infection was localized in them, causing pathological changes. The alkaline reaction of urine indicates that an environment has formed in the body that is favorable for the development of many serious diseases.

Such results of laboratory urine tests (general, biochemical analysis) arise due to:

• Vomiting.
• Drinking large amounts of mineral water.
• Increased acidity levels in the stomach.
• Taking certain medications (adrenaline, bicarbonates, nicotinamide).

Diagnosis of possible pathologies

The color of urine depends on the concentration of compounds dissolved in it.

A pathologically changed color, reminiscent of meat slop, occurs in the case of hematuria, a beer color indicates bilirubinemia, a black tint indicates hemoglobinuria or myoglobinuria, and white indicates leukocyturia.

Urine becomes cloudy if it contains a lot of mucus, fat, salts, cellular formations, and bacteria.

A smell reminiscent of rotten meat occurs with bladder cancer, as a result of rotting urine containing a lot of protein, pus, and blood.

The smell of ammonia is characteristic of cystitis , as well as bladder cancer, and the fruity aroma that accompanies rotting apples indicates the presence of ketone bodies.

Increased acidity of urine indicates diabetes mellitus, or kidney failure, fever, or kidney tuberculosis.

An alkaline reaction indicates chronic urinary tract infections, vomiting and diarrhea.

A high level of leukocytes indicates pathologies of the kidneys or urinary tract; it may also indicate stones in the ureter, the development of pyelonephritis, urethritis, etc.

Protein is an indicator of kidney pathology , allergic reactions, heart failure, and epilepsy.

Glucose in the urine indicates impaired kidney function or the development of diabetes mellitus.

Ketone bodies appear during decompensation of a pathology such as diabetes.

The presence of red blood cells is a sign of kidney infarction, the development of urolithiasis, acute glomerulonephritis, kidney cancer, and bladder cancer.

Epithelial cells are a sign of cystitis, inflammation of the ureters.

An increase in the level of cylinders tells the doctor about the presence of renal pathologies.

An increased salt content can indicate an unbalanced diet, as well as the following pathologies: diabetes mellitus, liver failure, intestinal dysbiosis, pyelonephritis.

The presence of bacteria and fungi is a sign of a bacterial infection (pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis, vulvovaginitis, etc.).

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Pathological conditions leading to pH shifts

The cause of deviations in urine acidity levels may be a pathological condition developing in the body. Acidification is caused by the following disorders:

• diabetes mellitus in the stage of decompensation;
• severe renal failure;
• kidney inflammation;
• blood poisoning;
• leukemia and other diseases.

Alkalinization of urine can be a consequence of the development of diseases:

• urinary tract infections;
• stomach diseases;
• excessive vomiting or diarrhea;
• taking adrenaline, bicarbonates, nicotinamide and other drugs;
• hematuria when urinating;
• diseases of other organs.

In addition, fluctuations in pH can be observed with hyperventilation of the lungs, intoxication of the body, tumor growths, a decrease in the concentration of potassium ions in the blood plasma, and the presence of parasites in the organs.

When is a doctor's consultation required?

Any deviations from urine test results, which are considered normal, necessitate the need to see a specialist for a more accurate examination.

The following deviations are indications for contacting a doctor:

• changing the shade of urine to the shade of beer, green-yellow, meat slop;
• high turbidity;
• strongly acidic or strongly alkaline reaction;
• strong smell;
• large amounts of sugar, ketones, bilirubin, salts, creatinine, calcium, protein.

Many urine indicators, color, acidity, presence of carbohydrates and others, may change due to taking certain medications or dietary habits.

But these data often indicate pathologies that require more thorough diagnostics for the timely detection of disturbances in the functioning of organs.

Osmolality

In addition to density, the concentrating ability of the kidneys is characterized by osmolality. These figures are quite close.

Normal values

Physiological changes

A decrease in osmolality is observed with physiological polyuria.

An increase in urine osmolality is observed when the body is dehydrated (fluid limitation, water loss), while normally the volume of urine necessarily decreases.

The table shows the relationship between urine density and its osmolality

pH value in urine analysis

The acidity level is determined during a laboratory test of urine or independently, through a special test. The study of acid-base reaction is included in the general urine analysis. The study also evaluates:

• organoleptic properties (volume, color, smell, transparency);
• physico-chemical indicator of density;
• biochemical components (protein, sugar, urobilinogen, leukocytes, etc.).

General analysis is the most accessible and informative method for diagnosing possible abnormalities in the functioning of the body. The results are assessed by comparing the obtained indicators with the reference values ​​​​accepted in laboratory microscopy. The final protocol (form) is deciphered by the doctor who wrote out the referral for analysis.

Each parameter studied has its own units of measurement and standards. pH is measured in units, standards are developed taking into account gender and age. A consistently elevated level of acidity is called acidosis, while deviations in the alkaline direction are called alkalosis.

Determining the acidity of urine at home

You can determine the acidity of urine not only in the laboratory, but also at home. The option of performing an analysis at home is suitable for those patients who must independently monitor their Ph level due to the presence of diabetes mellitus or uraturia.

types of research are often used :

It is impregnated with a special reagent that reacts with the liquid and then changes the paint. The essence of the method comes down to the fact that it is necessary to lower two types of strips, blue and red, into urine at once and check how the shade changes.

If the two stripes remain in the same state, then the reaction is considered neutral. If both stripes change color, then it is generally accepted that there are both alkaline and acidic reactions in urine.

If the red color changes to blue, then an alkaline reaction is present. When the color changes from blue to red, the reaction is considered acidic.

The essence of this method of determining the Ph level comes down to the fact that they take two solutions of red and blue color, which are gradually added to the material being tested.

Next, check the color: if the urine has become bright purple, then the acidity is approximately 6; if it turns gray, the acidity should be considered 7.2. Light purple urine indicates a level of 6.6. Green urine is a sign of acidity at 7.8.

Test strips, used both in most laboratories and at home, when conducting independent tests for Ph level. They can be purchased at pharmacies and used as needed.

The advantage of such a study is its simplicity, since anyone can determine the acidity in urine in a similar way. The strip is dipped into a fresh portion of urine, and then the result is viewed on a special scale with a designated color scheme.

Self-determination of pH

It is impossible to objectively assess the level of urine acidity through a single analysis. If indicators of acidification or alkalization occur, it is necessary to monitor the pH. Self-assessment is mandatory for people with chronic pathologies:

• diabetes;
• chronic pyelonephritis;
• respiratory and respiratory acidosis;
• chronic renal failure;
• metabolic alkalosis;
• kidney stones and urolithiasis.

It is recommended for women during the perinatal period to regularly measure acidity. There are several ways to determine acidity values ​​at home.

Indicator test strips

The Uri-pH biosensor is a disposable paper strip packaged in a plastic tube. There is a special test scale on the packaging, which is used to decipher the result. The scale ranges from 5 to 9 units. The measurement algorithm is as follows.

Collect 5–10 ml of urine in a sterile container (pharmacy container or pre-sterilized jar), open the tube and take out a strip with an indicator, immerse the test in the biofluid for a few seconds, remove the strip and place it on a dry surface. After a minute, evaluate the result by comparing the shade of the test and the color scale on the tube.

Strips for express analysis are coated with a reagent that changes color when reacting with urine. Comparing the color shade obtained on the strip with the color scale on the tube allows you to determine the acidity relative to the normal pH level in urine (5-7 units). When urine becomes acidic, the indicator turns yellow or pink. The lighter the color, the higher the acidity of the urine. Alkalinization changes the color of the indicator from blue-green to blue or dark green.

Analysis by Magarshak method

This is a physical method of chemical analysis based on changing the color of special solutions. A drop of a pre-prepared indicator, consisting of a 0.1% alcohol solution of neutral red and methylene blue solution of similar concentration, is added to the urine. The color of the resulting biofluid indicates the pH level. You can decipher the color indicator using the table:

Litmus indicator

Litmus paper is a universal indicator for determining the acidic and alkaline conditions in any liquid. The indicator is based on natural dyes azolitmine and erythrolitmine. The pharmacy kit consists of two litmus papers (indicator strips). The method of use is identical to test strips.

Both pieces of paper are placed in a container with urine, after 30 seconds the result is assessed: if both strips remain the original shade, it means the reaction is neutral, redness of the blue strip and the unchanged color of the red indicates acidification, the red strip turned blue and the blue remained unchanged, means alkalization . The disadvantage of the method is the inability to obtain an accurate digital pH value. The Uri-pH biosensor is a more informative method of assessment.

Portable pH meter

A special device designed to assess the acid level in various liquids. The analysis is based on measuring physical potentials in a biofluid by immersing a pair of electrodes in it. The scale of the mechanical device is graduated in pH. The electronic version of the pH meter is equipped with a screen on which a specific digital value is displayed.

There are laboratory and portable instruments. The latter option is suitable for patients who are forced to monitor urine pH daily. The listed methods of self-monitoring of acidity are suitable for both adult patients and children.

Indications

The appointment and interpretation of OAM is carried out by specialists: nephrologist, gynecologist, infectious disease specialist, urologist, pediatrician, therapist, etc.

• Scheduled preventive examination, medical examination;
• Mandatory examination when registering for pregnancy, regular monitoring during pregnancy;
• Suspicion of diseases of the genitourinary system (pyelonephritis, glomerulonephritis, pyelitis, cystitis, urethritis, renal failure, etc.);
• Diagnosed pathologies of the kidneys, urinary canals, bladder (monitoring the course of the disease and the effectiveness of the treatment used);
• Monitoring the health status of patients with increased acidity of gastric secretions;
• Mandatory monitoring of the effectiveness of water therapy when treating with mineral waters;
• Acidosis or alkalosis of various etiologies;
• Hematuria (blood in the urine);
• Diarrhea and/or vomiting for a long time (risk of dehydration);
• Diabetes mellitus (risk of developing chronic acidosis);
• Feverish conditions, accompanied by increased body temperature and profuse sweating;
• Rehabilitation period after fasting, fasting, strict diets;
• Hypokalemia (potassium deficiency in the body) and hypochloremia (lack of chlorine);
• Monitoring the patient’s condition after intravenous infusion of significant volumes of isotonic sodium chloride solution;
• Exudative diathesis in children (allergic damage to the mucous membrane and skin).