What are Nitrites in Urine?

Nitrites in urine are a biomarker indicating the presence of certain bacteria in the urinary tract. Normally, urine does not contain nitrites because the body excretes nitrogen in the form of urea. However, when bacteria that cause urinary tract infections (UTIs) are present, they convert nitrates (naturally found in urine) into nitrites. Therefore, the detection of nitrites in urine is a strong indicator of a bacterial infection in the urinary system.

Was this article helpful?

What Nitrite Testing Reveals
Why Nitrite testing Matters