A urinalysis tests the urine for color, clarity (clear or cloudy), odor, concentration, and pH (acidity or alkalinity). It also checks for abnormal levels of protein, sugar, and blood cells or other substances that, if found in the urine, may mean an illness or disease somewhere in the body.

A person may have a urinalysis:

• As part of a routine physical exam.
• To screen for a disease or infection of the urinary tract. Symptoms that may cause a doctor to order a urine test include discolored or foul-smelling urine, pain during urination, difficulty urinating, flank pain, or fever.
• To monitor the treatment of certain conditions, such as diabetes, kidney stones, urinary tract infection, or some types of kidney or liver disease.