Abnormal Constituents of Human Urine

Human urine is slightly aromatic, acidic and pale yellow coloured liquid containing toxic and non-toxic waste products formed by metabolic action of the cells. Quantity of urine formed and excreted out in 24 hours is average 1.5 liters. The colour of urine is due to presence of Urochrome pigment.

Normal urine contains water (90%-95%), and organic as well as inorganic constituents. Organic constituents comprise of : Urea, Ammonia, Uric acid, Creatinine, Amino acids, Hippuric acid, and Allantoin. Inorganic constituents are chlorides, phosphates, sulphates, sodium, potassium, calcium etc.

During different types of illness i.e. in pathological conditions the percentages of normal constituents fluctuate. Either they are increased or decreased. Besides that, during different illness/pregnancy period some additional constituents may appear in the urine. These are discussed below :

A. PROTEIN : In normal condition we excrete 20-80 mg protein in a day. But when albumin and globulin are found in illness condition then it is called Proteinuria. When a patient is suffering from nephritis, nephrosis, leucomia then excess amount of protein is detected in urine.

B. GLUCOSE : When the amount of glucose is increased in urine and the urine is capable to reduce the Benedict's reagent and Feeling's reagent then the condition is called Glucosuria. It is of two types,

1. Temporary Glucosuria : It occurs due to heavy intake of glucose, mental excitement or illness.

2. Diabetic Glucosuria : It is occurred during when a patient is suffering from Diabetes mellitus.

C. CARBOHYDRATES OTHER THAN GLUCOSE : Other carbohydrates like fructose, lactose, galactose may be appeared in the urine due to different reasons. If those are detected then the conditions are called fructosuria, lactosuria and galactosuria respectively.

D. FAT : In normal healthy condition human urine does not contain any fat. But during heavy Diabetes or due to over drinking of alcohol or due to intake of rich fish liver oil lipids are detected in the urine. The condition when lipid is detected in urine is called lipuria.

E. KETONE BODIES : Ketone bodies are of three categories viz. Acetoacetic acid, hydroxybutyric acid and acetone. During starvation, abnormal metabolism of carbohydrate or People who takes high amount of fat diet may be detected the presence of over amount of ketone bodies (more than 0.3 gm) in their urine. This condition, excreting over amount of ketone bodies through urine is called ketonuria.

F. BLOOD : Blood is not found in normal healthy conditions. During acute nephritis, urinary infections, trauma etc. blood is appeared in urine. This suffering condition is called hematuria.

G. BILIRUBIN : Bilirubin is one type of bile pigment. It is not found in normal condition. In jaundice, bilirubin is present in excess amount. It causes deep yellow colour of urine.

H. ACETONE : It is detected in the urine of Diabetes mellitus patient, it gives a sweet smell of the urine !

I. PUS : During gonorrhea and infection in urethra pus is appeared within the urine.

J. URINARY CALCULI : Calculi are depositions of calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate, calcium oxalate etc. and are formed during any infection in kidney, ureter, urinary bladder etc. They prevent the free flow of urine to the exterior.

NOTE : During pregnancy, placenta serves as a very important endocrine gland. HCG or human chorionic gonadotrophin maintains the corpus luteum for continued secretion of progesterone so as to maintain pregnancy. It is produced before implantation. Pregnancy test is confirmed by the presence of HCG in the urine.