A urine reagent strip is a long , thin plastic strip that is packed in a resealable bottle. Each bottle contains 100 strips. Depending upon the number of parameters on a particular strip, ranging from one to nine, the plastic strip will have attached to it a very small reagent pad(s) which is chemically treated to be sensitive to the specific parameter being tested for. When visiting the doctor’s office, often times patients are asked to fill a specimen cup with their urine. The urine is being tested with a urine reagent strip to see if levels, and how much, of a particular parameter are detected. When the urine is introduced to the reagent pad, a chemical reaction occurs which causes the reagent pad to change color. The color of the reagent pad is then read against the color chart printed on the vial and the color corresponds with the amount of the specific parameter detected in the urine, ranging from a negative reading to a large amount detected. For example, the URS-K detects ketones in the urine. A tan color would read a negative detection whereas a purple color would read a large amount detected.

Directions for Use:
Testing with a urine reagent strip is safe and easy. As with all diagnostic tests, you must READ AND FOLLOW DIRECTIONS EXACTLY to assure accurate readings. Always store in a cool, dry place and remove only enough strips for immediate use. Do not touch the test area of the strip and replace the cap immediately and tightly. Then, simply follow these directions:

1. Dip reagent end of strip in FRESH, well mixed, uncentrifuged urine and immediately remove. An alternative method is to pass the reagent strip quickly through the urine stream.
2. While removing, run the edge of the strip against the rim of the urine container to remove excess urine.
3. Compare the test area with the corresponding color chart at the time specified.

Each specific parameter will offer a reading time and a color chart for comparison. Again, you must wait the specified time before an accurate level is detected. Reading times are usually in the one minute range. It is possible, due to unusual circumstances, that reading times may take a few seconds longer than noted. If this should occur, just wait until the color has completely changed, then read the color comparison chart. A urine reagent strip will not read a specific level for a particular parameter with the color chart, but rather a range, as noted above for ketones, ranging from a negative to trace to small, moderate or large. It simply reads whether or not a parameter is present and if so, a range of the amount present in the urine.

Lab Essentials offers eight different urine reagent strips available with testing for nine different parameters. Listed below are the available parameters.

Definitions of Parameters:
GLUCOSE: Glucose is not normally found in the urine; however, very small amounts may be found after the ingestion of large amounts of sweets or after a glucose I.V. In most cases, any glucose found in a random urine sample should be investigated. Glucose in the urine is a warning signal for diabetes. There is also a serious condition, known as Low Renal Threshold, in which the kidneys allow glucose to be excreted. Any amount of glucose detected in the urine should be reported to your doctor or health care provider. (Available~URS-G, URS-2, URS-3, URS-4, URS-5, URS-9)

BILIRUBIN: Bilirubin is a breakdown product of bile, which is produced in the liver and normally stored in the gall bladder. It is then excreted into the small intestine to aid in the digestion of fats. However, in certain disease processes such as cirrhoses of the liver, liver cancer, and in conditions where the bile ducts become blocked, the bile can be absorbed into the blood stream, converted to bilirubin, and excreted into the urine. Therefore, the bilirubin test is generally considered a check on the liver. (Available~URS-9)

KETONE: Ketone bodies are produced as a byproduct of protein or fat metabolisim. There are some suggestions that small amounts of ketones are used by the brain as "food." It is known that hunger is suppressed by moderate amounts of ketones. Usually, the normal amounts of ketones present in the urine are at such low levels that they would not register on a urine reagent strip. When they are present consistently in very large amounts, it can be a signal of a diet gone too far, or of some other abnormal metabolic process. Some diet plans try to keep the dieter in the moderate range such that the dieter can chart their progress. If the amount of ketones present becomes too large, they can add more carbohydrates; if the amount becomes too small, they can cut back on carbohydrates. Followers of the Atkin’s Diet often check their ketone levels twice per day. The vast majority of the Ketone Strips sold are to adherents of this and similar diet plans. Ketones are also produced during periods of stress, such as pregnancy, or frequent strenuous exercise. (Available~URS-K, URS-5, URS-9)

SPECIFIC GRAVITY: Specific gravity is a way to chart whether the kidney can concentrate urine. The inability to concentrate urine may indicate a hormonal imbalance. Urine that is always very concentrated (high specific gravity) can indicate a "wasting" process, such as some cancers or starvation. In severe renal damage, the specific gravity is fixed at a low 1.010. (Available~URS-9)

BLOOD: Small amounts of blood in the urine can be caused by aggressive exercise or high altitude sickness. Also, in women, one must eliminate the possibility of menses blood. Intact red blood cells (RBC’s) or hemaglobin, when found in the urine can indicate a pathology somewhere in the urinary tract, i.e. cancer, long standing infection, kidney stones, etc. Chronic, unchecked hypertension can also force RBC’s into the urine. (Available~URS-B, URS-4, URS-5, URS-9)

pH: Highly acidic, or highly alkaline urine, on a consistent basis, can be an indicator of a problem diet or infection. It can also indicate that a urine specimen is old or been too long without refrigeration. Certain metabolic dysfunctions can cause pH to be too high or too low. (Available~URS-3, URS-4, URS-5, URS-9)

PROTEIN: If protein is present in the urine, more testing is required because the normal construction of the kidney prevents protein from being lost in the urine. Protein, being a high molecular weight molecule and not excreted into the kidney, when present, indicates a kidney not functioning properly. (Available~URS-2, URS-3, URS-4, URS-5, URS-9)

UROBILINOGEN: Urobilinogen is a complex chemical formed as a result of the breakdown of red blood cells in the spleen and liver. As this is a normal process, an excess of urobilinogen excreted in the urine indicates a liver not properly functioning. (Available~URS-9)

NITRITE: Small amounts of nitrate are excreted by the kidneys as a result of protein metabolism. If the nitrate is acted upon (reduced) by bacteria, nitrite is formed. The bacteria that normally reduce nitrate to nitrite are the type usually found in the stool such as E. Coli, etc. These are also called gram negative bacteria. When a positive nitrite test is present, it usually indicates a urinary tract infection. There are, however, infections that do not produce nitrites, such as infections with gram positive organisms. (Available~URS-9)

As urine is the fluid containing urea and other waste products, secreted from the blood by the kidneys and passed through the bladder, the chemical analysis of it can be most helpful for in vitro diagnostics. Urine reagent strips are not a diagnostic tool but are used to detect levels of specific parameters. The detection of these parameters in the urine, and the levels thereof, may be indicative of an abnormality or infection. ALWAYS rely upon your doctor or health care professional to detect, diagnose and treat any infection or abnormality.

We hope you have found this informative. Please feel free to contact us with your questions or comments.

The Staff at Lab Essentials, Inc.
Phone: 1.888.522.7226
Fax: 1.888.337.0233
e-mail: sales@LabEssentials.com