Which condition is associated with acidic urine?

Acidic urine is often linked to several metabolic and physiological conditions. In the case of diabetes mellitus, particularly in poorly controlled diabetes, the body may enter a state of ketoacidosis. This occurs when the body begins to break down fat for energy due to inadequate insulin or an inability to properly use glucose. The results are elevated levels of ketones—acids that contribute to the acidity of urine.

As the body secretes these ketones through urine, the pH of the urine decreases, leading to a more acidic urine profile. This is a significant indicator in the clinical assessment of diabetes, especially when monitoring for complications such as diabetic ketoacidosis.

Other choices may affect urine acidity differently. For example, hyperventilation would typically lead to respiratory alkalosis, shifting urine towards the alkaline side. Renal tubular acidosis results in an inability to adequately acidify urine, and a vegetable diet, often high in alkali, can result in more alkaline urine. Therefore, the association of diabetes mellitus with acidic urine stands out due to the presence of ketoacidosis that significantly lowers urinary pH.