Urinstickan

Urinstickan, also known as a urine test strip or dipstick, is a diagnostic tool used to quickly detect and measure chemical substances in urine. These strips are typically made of a flexible plastic or paper strip with several small reagent pads attached. Each pad is impregnated with chemicals that change color when they come into contact with specific substances in the urine sample.

The process of using a urinstick involves dipping the strip into a fresh urine sample for a specified amount of time. The reagent pads react with the urine, causing a color change. The color of each pad is then visually compared to a color chart provided by the manufacturer to interpret the results. This comparison allows for the semi-quantitative or qualitative assessment of various analytes.

Common parameters measured by urinsticks include pH, specific gravity, protein (albumin), glucose, ketones, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrites, and leukocytes (white blood cells). These tests provide valuable information for diagnosing and monitoring a range of medical conditions, such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, diabetes, and liver problems. While urinsticks are a convenient and inexpensive screening tool, abnormal results often require further confirmation with more specific laboratory tests. They are widely used in clinical settings, as well as for home testing by individuals managing certain chronic conditions.