Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds that pass through the urine.

Certain medicines change the color of urine, but this is not a sign of disease. Your provider may tell you to stop taking any medicines that can affect test results. Medicines that can change your urine color include:
Chloroquine
Iron supplements
Levodopa
Nitrofurantoin
Phenazopyridine
Phenothiazine
Phenytoin
Riboflavin
Triamterene
A urinalysis may be done:
As part of a routine medical exam to screen for early signs of disease
If you have signs of diabetes or kidney disease, or to monitor you if you are being treated for these conditions
To check for blood in the urine
To diagnose a urinary tract infection
Normal urine varies in color from almost colorless to dark yellow. Some foods, such as beets and blackberries, may turn urine red. Usually, glucose, ketones, protein, and bilirubin are not detectable in urine. The following are not normally found in urine:
Hemoglobin
Nitrites
Red blood cells
White blood cells
Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.
Abnormal results may mean you have an illness, such as:
Urinary tract infection
Kidney stones
Poorly controlled diabetes
Bladder or kidney cancer
Your provider can discuss the results with you.