Urine

Urine pH

Urine pH tells how acidic or alkaline the urine is. It depends on diet, metabolism and kidney function; it helps in understanding stones and certain metabolic conditions.

Ranges we useEFLM
RatingRangeWhat it means
Worth improvingbelow 5 Acidic urine. Usual in a concentrated morning sample; context matters.
Good5 – 8 Within range (urine pH 5–8).
Worth improving8 and aboveAlkaline urine. Possible infection or diet; context matters.
Source: EFLM · European Urinalysis Guideline 2023 (Kouri T et al.) · 2023

Why it matters

ECLM: depends on diet/metabolism; extremes require context (stones/infection).

If it’s low

Acidic (low pH) urine accompanies a diet rich in meat, fasting or certain metabolic disorders; prone to other types of stones (uric acid).

If it’s high

Alkaline (high pH) urine can accompany certain urinary infections or a diet rich in vegetables; it is prone to certain types of stones.

What to do

pH on its own rarely requires action. With recurrent stones a doctor takes it into account in dietary advice.

Read together with

Uric acid · Urine pH

This content is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Talk to your doctor about your results.

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