Urine comprises water, salts, and waste products from the kidneys. The balance of these compounds can affect the urine’s acidity levels, which specialists measure in pH.
The pH is the measurement of how acidic or alkaline a person’s urine is. Doctors often test the urine pH, and they may perform other diagnostic tests when a person has symptoms that may be related to a problem in the urinary tract.
According to the American Association for Clinical Chemistry, the average value for urine pH is 6.0, but it can range from 4.5 to 8.0. Urine under 5.0 is acidic, and urine higher than 8.0 is alkaline, or basic.
Different laboratories may have different ranges for “normal” pH levels. The laboratory report will explain the normal and abnormal levels for the specific laboratory. A doctor will usually explain these results to the person.
