Urine pH results must be evaluated in conjunction with a patient's medical condition and clinical history. Factors to be considered include:
- Respiratory and metabolic status
- Renal function
- Crystal or calculi formation
- Diet
The table below summarizes dietary, medical, and artifactual conditions that may affect urine pH:
High meat diet
| X
|
|
Vegetarian diet
|
| X
|
Respiratory/metabolic acidosis
| X
|
|
Respiratory/metabolic alkalosis
|
| X
|
Hypochloridemia
| X
|
|
High concentration of urine glucose
| X
|
|
Bacterial infection caused by urease-producing bacteria
|
| X
|
Prolonged storage of specimen at room temperature, allowing multiplication of urease-producing bacteria
|
| X (above 8.0)
|
Improper procedural technique; excess urine left on reagent strip, allowing acid buffer in protein pad to run over into adjacent pH pad (refers to some reagent strip configurations)
| X
|
|