Find Locations
For hours, walk-ins and appointments.Expected Turnaround Time
3 - 4 days
Turnaround time is defined as the usual number of days from the date of pickup of a specimen for testing to when the result is released to the ordering provider. In some cases, additional time should be allowed for additional confirmatory or additional reflex tests. Testing schedules may vary.
Related Documents
Specimen Requirements
Specimen
Urine (random)
Volume
5 mL
Minimum Volume
1 mL
Container
Plastic urine container, no preservative
Collection
Freshly voided random urine
Storage Instructions
Room temperature
Stability Requirements
Temperature | Period |
|---|---|
Room temperature | 14 days |
Refrigerated | 14 days |
Frozen | 14 days |
Freeze/thaw cycles | Stable x3 |
Causes for Rejection
Icteric samples; preservative added
Test Details
Use
The urine pH is a crude measure of the acid-base balance of the body. It may be helpful in determining subtle presence of distal renal tubular disease or pyelonephritis. Urine pH is useful for identifying crystals in urine and determining predisposition to form a given type of stone. See table.
Conditions Associated With Acid Urine |
Metabolic acidosis |
Diabetes mellitus |
Diarrhea |
Starvation |
Respiratory acidosis |
Emphysema |
Sleep |
Renal failure with lack of NH3 buffer |
Gastric suction and vomiting |
Diuretic therapy |
Postprandial alkaline tide (one hour after meal) |
Fanconi syndrome and Milkman syndrome (increased urinary loss of bicarbonate) |
Alkali therapy (citrate, bicarbonate) |
Conditions Associated With Alkaline Urine |
Respiratory alkalosis |
Metabolic alkalosis |
Urea-splitting bacteria (Proteus sp) |
Vegetable diet |
Limitations
This test was developed, and its performance characteristics determined, by LabCorp. It has not been cleared or approved by the Food and Drug Administration.
Methodology
Electrochemical (pH meter)
Reference Interval
Newborns: 5.0−7.0; thereafter: 4.5−8.0
Additional Information
Dietary factors affect urine pH. Alkaline urine is observed in persons who eat large quantities of citrus fruit and vegetables. Acid urine is observed with high meat intake. Pyridium® metabolites may mask the pH reaction. Urine pH >6.5 indicates presence of bicarbonate while pH <5.5 indicates absence of bicarbonate. Consistently acid urine, pH <5.5, is associated with xanthine, cystine, and uric acid stones. Calcium oxalate and apatite stones are not associated with any particular disturbance of urine pH. Alkaline urine pH >7 is associated with calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, and especially magnesium ammonium phosphate stones. In conjunction with serum pH and bicarbonate levels urine pH may be applied to the study of renal tubular acidification.
LOINC® Map
| Order Code | Order Code Name | Order Loinc | Result Code | Result Code Name | UofM | Result LOINC |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 013037 | pH, Urine | 2756-5 | 013037 | pH, Urine | 2756-5 |
© 2021 Laboratory Corporation of America® Holdings and Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved.
CPT Statement/Profile Statement
The LOINC® codes are copyright © 1994-2021, Regenstrief Institute, Inc. and the Logical Observation Identifiers Names and Codes (LOINC) Committee. Permission is granted in perpetuity, without payment of license fees or royalties, to use, copy, or distribute the LOINC® codes for any commercial or non-commercial purpose, subject to the terms under the license agreement found at https://loinc.org/license/. Additional information regarding LOINC® codes can be found at LOINC.org, including the LOINC Manual, which can be downloaded at LOINC.org/downloads/files/LOINCManual.pdf