What Does Urine pH Mean on a Test?
What Exactly Is pH?
Simply put, pH is a scale that measures how acidic or alkaline something is. The abbreviation pH stands for potential hydrogen, which is a Latin term meaning power of hydrogen. This scale ranges from 0 to 14. A pH of 7, which is the pH of pure water without any contaminants, is considered neutral. A pH below 7 is acidic, while a pH above 7 is considered alkaline. In the human body, measuring pH can give you insight into how the body’s acid-base balance is working. This balance can be impacted by multiple factors.
What Is a Normal pH?
The human body requires a delicate balance to complete all of its functions. The normal pH in the body is between 7.35 and 7.45. The body balances the pH through a number of processes, including breathing and filtration through the kidneys.
Urine, on the other hand, has a much wider range for normal pH. Urine pH ranges from 4.5 to 7.8. Urine pH is often reported on a urinalysis test that also gives information on things like sugar in the urine, as well as markers of infection, such as white blood cells (reported as leukocytes).
Why Does pH Matter on a Test?
In blood or urine testing, pH can give important clues as to health. Abnormalities in blood pH can give healthcare providers an indication as to which body systems may be having issues. Specifically, the pH, in combination with other blood markers, can tell healthcare providers whether the problem is metabolic or respiratory, and whether the body is compensating for the issue.
An elevated (alkaline) urine pH may indicate an infection in the urine. Urine pH can also be high because of medications, dietary changes, and vomiting. A low urine pH (acidic) may be associated with certain types of diet or can be a sign that the body is compensating for problems in pH elsewhere.
What Types of Health Conditions Change pH?
There are many health conditions that can affect the pH of the blood.
Diabetes
Diabetes can lead to a lower pH throughout the body, including the saliva, urine, and sometimes even the blood. Some conditions seen in diabetes, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, can cause a significant amount of acid accumulation in the blood and be life-threatening.
Kidney Disease
The kidneys are vitally important to the body’s ability to balance pH. Kidney disease can significantly affect the body’s ability to remove acid when necessary. This can cause the blood and urine to become more acidic. Increased acidity in the urine can increase the risk of kidney stones.
Gastrointestinal Problems
Gastrointestinal problems such as vomiting and diarrhea can affect bicarbonate levels in your body and lead to a more basic pH.
Lung problems
The lungs, along with the kidneys, are the primary body systems responsible for maintaining proper body pH. Lung disease can affect the acid-base balance in the body and cause lower pH.
Dehydration
Dehydration can lower pH due to its effects on the electrolyte balance in the body.
Medications
There are many medications that can impact the pH balance of the body either directly or indirectly through their effects on different body systems. Medications can potentially cause either a higher pH (alkalosis) or a lower pH (acidosis).
Starvation
Starvation, or even prolonged fasting, can lead to a lower body pH. This is because the body breaks down fat and muscle instead of carbohydrates to maintain energy production. This leads to a byproduct called ketones that can lower pH over time.
Exercise
Exercise, especially prolonged or strenuous exercise, can lead to a buildup of lactic acid in the muscles and blood. Lactic acid is actually why you get sore with strenuous exercise. This buildup of lactic acid can lower blood pH, a condition known as lactic acidosis.
Can You Change Your pH?
Your body has a very complex process for maintaining its pH. In some cases, you may be able to change this temporarily, but the body keeps this strictly regulated for optimal function. The body will change the pH of fluids such as urine or vaginal fluids to maintain a strict blood pH. If you have a concern about your body pH, you may want to consult with a healthcare provider about safe options for managing this.
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