What to Know About a Urine pH Test? What Is Normal Urine pH
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What range can be considered normal pH in urine? Most commonly, a healthy adult will exhibit a level of around 6.0 to 7.5 on the pH scale. It’s important to keep in mind that these urine pH ranges are composite averages that don’t have to mean anything of concern is going on. Still, urine pH levels below 4.6 or above 8.0, could signify a potentially severe, underlying issue that should be checked out to keep your body healthy. Keep reading for a more in-depth and detailed analysis of what the pH of urine can tell you about potential conditions.
Testing the pH of Urine – What Does It Involve?
Urine testing, or urinalysis, is a staple element of a standard regular health check-up, notably because of its ease of collection, low level of invasiveness, and quick testing turnaround time.
If your health care provider requests you do a urine panel, either at a practice or via an at-home urine test, all you need to do is rather simple. In the early morning, prior to eating or ingesting any fluids that day, collect a sample of your urine and deliver it to your health center.
Upon receiving the sample, healthcare providers perform a range of tests on urine, including inserting a dipstick. The dipstick reacts to the liquid's acidity by changing color. The pH scale runs from 1 to 14, with acidity at the lower end and basicity at the higher end.
These results are then sent back to your healthcare provider for interpretation. Your doctor will attempt to correlate urine pH levels with other properties tested during your urinalysis.
What Constitutes Normal Urine pH?
For the vast majority of people, the dipstick test returns a result between 6.0 and 7.5, which is considered “healthy,” i.e., neither excessively basic nor acidic. Generally, however, a range of 4.6 to 8.0 is also acceptable and not synonymous with abnormal urine pH levels.
When Can Urine pH Go Beyond Standard Levels?
Although 6.0–7.5 may be the ideal target urine pH level, there is an enormous number of factors that could influence the test results. Some of the most common yet typically benign reasons urine pH tests return different results include the following:
- Special dietary habits – a diet high in protein can lower pH, while vegetarian diets can increase it;
- Low hydration levels – chronic dehydration impacts not only the color of urine; it can also lower the pH enough for it to be reflected on a dipstick test;
- Medication and supplementation – certain medications tend to alter the pH of urine;
- Stress or physical activity
- Genetic factors – these could contribute to higher or lower baseline urine pH ranges;
- Stage of the menstrual cycle
- Environmental factors
- Pregnancy
Naturally, this list is by no means exhaustive, but the key point here is to understand just how sensitive and susceptible urine pH levels can be to deviation.
Is High or Low pH in Urine Dangerous?
As shown above, no, not necessarily, as long as your pH levels remain in the 4.6 to 8.0 range. Occasional fluctuations outside that range due to various contributing factors are also common.
Problems begin when your urine pH levels show abnormal results for extended periods of time. This could mean the body is attempting to signal that something suspicious is going on. In such cases, it is recommended that you remain under the supervision of your doctor and follow their advice.
Below, we’ve listed a number of medical conditions that could contribute to abnormal urine pH:
- UTIs (urinary tract infections);
- Kidney diseases, such as renal tubular acidosis or chronic kidney disease;
- Vomiting;
- Kidney stones;
- Pervasive diarrhea;
The Takeaway
Understanding the role urine pH can play in diagnosing your overall health is paramount to getting a full diagnostic picture. It’s key to remember that not all baseline pH ranges were created equal, as a great number of factors (benign and concerning alike) can influence them, leading your urine pH to become more acidic or alkaline.
Regardless, talking to your healthcare provider is always recommended if you have questions about your test results or simply want to remain more informed. If you suspect your urine pH levels could signify a serious condition, RibbonCheckup offers testing kits to scan for many conditions, including urinary tract infections or markers of chronic kidney disease (CKD).
You may also read: What Causes UTIs? Most Common Causes & Bacterias