What is a pH Monitor?

This test indicates the acid or alkaline content of urine (pH) by measuring the concentration of hydrogen ions. On a scale of 1-10, 7 represents neutrality, lower numbers indicate increasing acidity and higher numbers increasing alkalinity. Each unit of change represents a tenfold change in acidity or alkalinity. The pH of urine can range from and extremely unhealthy low of 4.5 to a high 8.5.

Why Monitor pH levels?

Persistent alkaline urine (pH7-8) may be indicative of urinary tract infection, vegetarian diet, alkalosis, pyloric stenosis/obstruction, vomiting or alkalizing drugs. Persistent acid urine (pH5-7) may be indicative of gout, fever, phenacetin intake or predisposition to kidney stones. In a pH balanced body, urine is slightly acid in the morning (after fasting), with a pH range of 6.5-7.0, generally becoming more alkaline, pH=7.5-8.0 by evening as the body digests food and releases electrolytes.