Collection: Urine Test Strips

Strips for testing urine

Urine testing strips are also known as urinalysis strips, urine sticks, urine reagent strips (URS for short). They are available in various parameters . For example a URS10 tests for 10 parameters.

What are urine test strips?

Urine testing strips are small, plastic strips used to detect certain substances or conditions in a person's urine. To use them you simply dip the test strip in a urine sample to detect the presence of a substance that has been excreted in the urine. 

We have a range of urine testing strips from 10 parameters down to single urine test strips for testing urine for drugs. The URS10 is the most common urine test and are usually supplied in pots of 100 test strips.

What substances are tested for on a URS10?

The 10-parameter URS 10 reagent strip test tests for the following :

1. Glucose
2. Ketones
3. Specific Gravity
4. Blood (red blood cells)
5. pH
6. Protein
7. Nitrite
8. Bilirubin
9. Urobilinogen
10. Leucocytes (white blood cells)

URS10 reagent test strips are the most common type of urine strips used in medical settings to diagnose and monitor a variety of health conditions, including urinary tract infections, kidney problems, and diabetes. They contain reactive pads that change colour when they come into contact with specific substances in the urine. The colour changes can then be compared to a colour chart to determine the presence and concentration of the substances being tested for. 

We also have strips for testing urine for drugs available.

What are urine testing strips used for?

Urine testing strips are used by doctors, nurses, and individuals to monitor many chronic health conditions and to test urine for common diseases like cystitis and diabetes. The urine strips are most frequently used to test for urine infection. They can also be used to test for a UTI at home.

Urine test strips can also be used for detecting drug use, check for pregnancy and fertility, and to monitor urine ketone levels if you are following a low-carb or keto diet. 

Urine test strips how to use-urine test strips instructions

1. To use a urine strip test you need to obtain a fresh urine sample in a clean collection cup. The cup does not need to be sterile, but it should be clean to avoid anything contaminating the urine sample, and affecting the urine test strip results. If you are using the strips for testing urine in a clinical setting, you should wear disposable gloves to do the urine test.
2. Next, remove the test strip from the pot containing the test strips and then reseal the pot immediately, with the screw top lid.  Make sure the lid is on securely, to avoid moisture entering the pot, and being absorbed by the urine test strips. Most pots of urine test strips have a desiccant packed in the pot, to absorb any moisture that enters, once the lid is removed. Make sure that you keep the desiccant pouch in the pot of urine testing strips, at all times.
3. Next dip the urine strip test in the urine sample, so that all the pads are immersed in the urine for around 2-5 seconds. This will allow them enough time, to absorb sufficient urine, to run the reagent test.
4. Then remove the test strip from the urine sample, and tap gently on the side of the strip to remove any excess urine, while holding it over the collection cup. 

How to read the results of the urine test strip

To read urine test strips results, lie the urine strip test down on a flat surface so that the coloured pads face upwards and wait for the results. The result on the urine test strips should be read at a specific time for each parameter. The instructions for reading the results, are on the side of the pot of urine test strips, telling you when to read each test result.

Most results on urine test strips will be visible within 60-90 seconds but please refer to the side of the pot for exact read times. The results on the urine test strip are read by comparing the colour change on the pad, with a colour chart supplied on the side of the urine test strip pot.

What indicates a urine infection on a dipstick?

If the strip urine test is positive for nitrites or leucocytes and blood (red blood cells), it is likely that a urinary tract infection is present, and medical advice should be sought. 

If nitrites, leucocytes and red blood cells are all negative on the urine test strip, a urine infection is unlikely., but if urinary symptoms are present, medical advice should be sought to rule out other causes.

Why does it say use within 3 months on the pot of urine test strips?

Urine testing strips are very sensitive to moisture, which is why the advice on every pot of URS urine testing strips that you can buy, is that the urine test strips should be used within 3 months of opening the pot. In practice, if you always replace the lid securely on the pot immediately after removing the urine test strip, and you keep the desiccant in the pot at all times, they will probably last much longer than this. You will be able to tell if they have absorbed moisture, and are past their best by a mottled appearance to the pads before use.

How to order urine testing strips

To order urine strips you can either order online or contact our trade and NHS team to place a wholesale or NHS order for urine test strips. NHS purchase orders are welcome. We offer discounts for bulk and wholesale orders for urine testing strips. 

Can you buy urine test strips over the counter in the UK?

You may be able to buy them over the counter in some pharmacies in the UK but most pharmacies do not stock them. The easiest way to buy them over the counter in the UK is to buy them online.

Can I get a copy of the urine test strips instructions?

All the urine test strips we supply come with a detailed set of instructions for use. If you have lost your instructions and need a copy, you can either download them from the urine test strip product, or email our customer services team and ask them to email you a copy of the instructions.

Watch this video to see how to test a urine sample with a urine test strip

This video shows how to use the 10-parameter URS10 urine test strips to test urine.