What does urinalysis analyze?

Urinalysis is a laboratory examination that specifically focuses on urine, making it essential for diagnosing various medical conditions. This process involves evaluating the physical, chemical, and microscopic properties of urine to provide insights into a person's health.

Through urinalysis, healthcare professionals can detect substances such as proteins, glucose, ketones, blood cells, and bacteria that may indicate conditions like diabetes, infections, and kidney diseases. The analysis is typically performed on a urine sample obtained from the patient, making the urine the primary specimen for this type of testing. This distinguishes urinalysis from tests analyzing blood, tissues, or saliva, which are entirely different processes used to diagnose other health issues.