Urine Test Strips
Trust is good, control is better.
Whether a bladder infection is on its way or already in progress, you can find out easily from home using urine test strips. Very often, the first thing a GP does when you visit with symptoms of a urine infection is exactly the same test.
In a quick urine test, a test strip is dipped into the urine and then compared with the colour fields on the packaging. In a nutshell:
-
Urine sample:
Collect midstream urine in a clean cup. Start by urinating a small amount into the toilet, then collect the urine in the
cup - this is what is referred to as midstream urine.
Important Note: Avoid squeezing to stop the flow before collecting the sample.
Tip #1: The first-morning urine is the most informative.
Tip #2: Vaginal bacteria can contaminate the urine sample. To avoid this, clean the area around the vaginal opening and urethral entrance with water before the test. - Dip the test strip: Briefly dip the strip in the urine for about 1 second, then wipe off any excess urine along the edge of the cup.
- Wait 60 seconds for the test result to appear.
- Compare the test result with the print on the packaging (or leaflet), document, and evaluate.
Note: Test strips are not always reliable and can sometimes give false results (e.g. with an extremely high intake of vitamin C).
If you want to learn more, check out a video by a urologist on the topic of quick urine tests.
Interpreting Parameters in the Test Result
If the following parameters are outside the normal range specified in the package leaflet (indicated by the colour change on the test field), this may indicate a UTI :
- Leukocytes: A key indicator of inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract and kidneys, usually with bacterial cause.
- Nitrite: One of the main indicators of bacterial UTIs, e.g. caused by Escherichia coli. Note: If nitrite is not positive in the morning urine, it is likely the UTI is not caused by E. Coli bacteria .
- Erythrocytes (Haemoglobin): Blood in the urine may indicate a disease of the kidneys and urogenital tract.
- Protein: Elevated protein levels may indicate kidney inflammation.
- Glucose: Glucose in urine does not indicate a bladder infection but is almost always a sign of diabetes mellitus (diabetes) and should be checked by a doctor.
Note: Taking antibiotics can lead to inaccurate results (especially for leukocytes and nitrite). An antibiotic treatment should, therefore, be completed at least three days prior.
My Insider Tips
Here’s how I used the test strips:
- Is something on the way? Testing your urine at home can catch your UTI in an early stage, allowing you to take preventive action immediately.
- Monitoring progress in a simple bladder infection: Am I on the way to recovery, or is it time (e.g. if there’s blood in the urine) to visit a doctor?
- Anti-hypochondriac measure: I often imagined the worst because my focus was constantly on my bladder. A clear test result immediately put my mind at ease and freed me from the nagging worry cycle.
If leukocytes and nitrite are negative, the likelihood of a urinary tract infection is low.
Urine test strips are there to support you, but please don’t turn into a control freak by testing your urine daily or every time you feel a slight twinge in your lower abdomen.
"I am convinced that most reputable urine test strips are reliable. Personally, I have always used Combur 5 Test® Hc Test Strips* or Combur® 9 Test Strips (depending on which was cheaper). Another affordable and well-rated option: One+Step Urine Test Strips*. You can also purchase test strips at drugstores, such as Elanee Urine Control Test 5."
