A urine test analysis, also known as urinalysis is a test used to analyze the components that make up a sample of urine. Typically, urine is made up of water and of several other components including bilirubin. Based on the food and drink consumption of an individual, the urine will also contain waste products that are removed from the blood. This removal process occurs in the kidneys. A person who has healthy kidneys will be having his or her blood filtered through the kidneys. The clean blood is pumped back through the body whereas the toxins and waste removed from the kidneys is sent into the urinary bladder. The urinary bladder fills up and as it does so, indicates the requirement of urination to the individual. Upon urination, the bladder sphincter muscle opens, allowing urine to flow out of it.
A urine test analysis is used for general health care checkups, specific medical tests associated with disease and for law enforcement agencies to detect the presence of banned substances or banned quantities of substances. This makes the urine test extremely common. A urine test involves two processes. The first process is that of collection where urine is eliminated into a sterile jar and the jar is sealed. This process can be conducted in the patient’s house, at a clinic or anywhere else. This makes it easy for urine samples to be collected from individuals who may not wish to be seen at a clinic. This applies for those who are being tested for diseases or conditions that have an attached social stigma.
The second stage in the process of a urine test is the stage of actual testing. This occurs in a specialized laboratory where different quantities of the collected urine are analyzed for various different components. These components should be present within a range of values associated with healthy people. Small variations above and below the range are generally considered to be inconclusive and are ignored. Large variations are used to diagnose diseases or infections that are known to cause the specific variation in question.
Many applications of urine test analysis require the sample to be collected at a specific time, such as immediately after a meal or the first urination in the morning. This depends entirely on the type of test being performed, either diagnostic or related to general health. Results from a urine test analysis are typically available on the day after the test.