Sodium is important for maintaining fluid balance in the body and for proper nerve and muscle function.

Potassium is important for nerve and muscle function, including regulating heart rhythm, and is also involved in fluid balance.

Chloride is important for maintaining fluid balance and for the proper functioning of the digestive system.

Higher than normal levels suggests trouble maintaining pH balance either by failing to remove carbon dioxide or because of an electrolyte imbalance. Elevations may be seen with severe vomiting, chronic lung problems and some hormonal disorders. Low levels may be seen with chronic diarrhoea, diabetic ketoacidosis and kidney failure.

A high concentration of this waste product can indicate dehydration or that your kidneys aren’t working properly.

A waste molecule generated from muscle metabolism, and an accurate marker of kidney function.

If too much urate is produced or not enough is excreted, it can accumulate and lead to gout – an inflammation that occurs in joints.

The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) measures how well your kidneys filter the wastes from your blood and is the best overall measure of kidney function.

Kidney stones tend to form in a highly acidic or alkaline environment, and cause pain as they prevent urine from passing. The urine pH level test can also be an indicator or urinary tract infection.

Albumin in the urine can be temporary and harmless caused by stresses such as fever or exercise, but it can also be a sign of early kidney disease.

A urine glucose test is often performed to check for diabetes. In some cases, a urine glucose test may also be done to check for kidney problems or a urinary tract infection.

This tests looks for the presence of microscopic blood in the urine. Heamaturia can be caused by vigorous exercise and sexual activity, but is also an indicator of kidney disease.

Leucocytes are a type of white blood cell. If present in the urine, this can be a sign of infection.

Red blood cells (erythrocytes) in the urine may be a sign of kidney disease, a blood disorder or another underlying medical condition, such as bladder cancer.

A few epithelial cells may be considered normal, as they can be shed during the natural process of cell turnover and sloughing off of the urinary tract lining. However, an excess or abnormal type of epithelial cells in the urine may indicate an underlying condition or issue.

A urine culture is a test that can detect bacteria in your urine. This test can find and identify the germs that cause a urinary tract infection (UTI).

Creatinine is a waste product that your body makes when you use your muscles or when your body digests meat. Healthy kidneys remove creatinine from your blood, and it leaves your body in your urine. This test can find out whether your kidneys are working normally or to see if treatment for kidney disease is working.

Albumin in the urine can be temporary and harmless caused by stresses such as fever or exercise, but it can also be a sign of early kidney disease.

Normal individuals usually excrete very small amounts of protein in the urine. Persistently increased protein excretion is usually a marker of kidney damage.