Collection: Urine Tests

Urine tests to screen urine

Urine tests are a commonly used diagnostic tool in healthcare settings. These tests can provide valuable information about a person's health, including the presence of certain medical conditions or diseases including diabetes, urine infections, kidney disease, and liver disease.  At Valuemed, we offer a range of high-quality urine tests for use at home or in a clinical setting. Our selection includes tests for pregnancy, drug use, and a variety of other medical conditions.

One of the most common uses for urine tests is to detect pregnancy. Our pregnancy tests are easy to use and highly accurate, with results available in just a few minutes. They work by detecting the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in the urine, which is produced by the placenta after a fertilized egg implants in the uterus.

We also offer drug tests that can detect the presence of a wide range of substances, including cannabis, cocaine, amphetamines, and opioids. These tests are often used by employers or healthcare professionals to screen for drug use. In addition to these tests, we offer a range of other urine tests that can help diagnose medical conditions such as urinary tract infections, kidney disease, and diabetes. These tests can provide important information about a person's health and help guide treatment decisions.

At Valuemed, we are committed to providing high-quality urine tests that are affordable and easy to use. All of our tests are manufactured to the highest standards and come with clear instructions for use. We also offer fast and reliable shipping, so you can get the results you need as quickly as possible. If you have any questions about our urine tests or how to use them, our friendly customer service team is always here to help. Thank you for choosing Valuemed for your diagnostic testing needs.

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What Does KET Mean On A Urine Test

On a standard urinalysis URS urine dip strip test, KET typically stands for ketones. Ketones are substances produced by the liver when the body breaks down fat for energy, usually when carbohydrates are not available. Elevated levels of ketones in the urine can indicate various conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), fasting, low-carbohydrate diets (such as ketogenic diets), or certain metabolic disorders. It's essential to interpret the presence of ketones in urine in conjunction with other clinical information and symptoms for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate medical management.

If KET appears on a urine drug test result, it refers to Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic and hallucinogenic drug. Ketamine is increasingly abused recreationally in the UK for its dissociative effects. In a drug test, the presence of KET would indicate the presence of ketamine or its metabolites in the individual's urine sample which is indicative of recent ketamine use.

What are the causes of blood detected on a urine dipstick?

The presence of blood in urine, known as hematuria, can be detected on a urine dipstick and may be caused by various factors.

Here are some common reasons why blood might be detected on a urine dipstick:

  1. Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): Infections in the urinary tract, including the bladder or kidneys, can lead to inflammation and bleeding, causing blood to be present in the urine.
  2. Kidney stones: The presence of kidney stones can cause irritation and damage to the urinary tract, resulting in blood in the urine.
  3. Bladder or kidney Infections: Infections specifically affecting the bladder or kidneys can lead to hematuria.
  4. Trauma or injury: Physical trauma to the urinary tract, such as a recent injury or surgery, can cause bleeding.
  5. Inflammation of the genito or urinary tract: Conditions like cystitis, which involve inflammation of the bladder, can lead to blood in the urine.
  6. Prostate disease: In men, problems with the prostate can sometimes cause bleeding during urination.
  7. Certain medications: Some medications may cause irritation and result in blood in the urine.
  8. Inherited conditions: Certain inherited disorders can lead to blood in the urine.
  9. Menstruation: it is important to remember that in women menstruation can sometimes give a false positive for blood on a urine test strip, as the blood is not coming from the urinary tract but from menstruation.

It's important to note that the presence of blood on a urine dipstick is a preliminary indication, and further evaluation is necessary to determine the underlying cause, and rule out any serious underlying conditions. If you notice blood in your urine or if a dipstick test suggests its presence, it's crucial to consult with a healthcare professional. Additional diagnostic tests, such as a urine culture, imaging studies, or a cystoscopy, may be needed to identify the cause of hematuria and determine the appropriate course of action.

What indicates a urine infection on a dipstick?

A urine infection, also known as a urinary tract infection (UTI), can be indicated on a urine dipstick by certain abnormalities in the results. The following parameters on a urine dipstick may suggest the presence of a UTI:

  1. Leukocytes (White Blood Cells): An elevated level of leukocytes in the urine may indicate inflammation or infection in the urinary tract. Leukocytes are often a key marker for the presence of infection.
  2. Nitrites: Some bacteria, such as Escherichia coli (E. coli), which are common culprits in UTIs, can convert nitrate to nitrite. Detection of nitrites in the urine may suggest the presence of certain bacteria associated with urinary tract infections.
  3. Blood: Blood on a urine dipstick can be an indication of various conditions, and while it may suggest infection, it is not specific to infection alone. The presence of blood in the urine is called hematuria, and it can be caused by a range of factors.

If you notice abnormal results in these parameters, it's important to consult with a healthcare professional for further evaluation and confirmation of a urinary tract infection. A urine dipstick provides preliminary information, but additional diagnostic tests, such as a urine culture, may be needed for a more accurate diagnosis and identification of the specific bacteria causing the infection.

It's crucial not to self-diagnose or self-treat based solely on the results of a urine dipstick. A healthcare professional can provide appropriate guidance, recommend further tests if necessary, and prescribe antibiotics or other treatments if a urinary tract infection is confirmed.

Can I buy urine test strips over the counter?

Yes, urine test strips are often available over the counter at pharmacies, chemists, drugstores, and some retail stores. These urine test strips are commonly used for various purposes, such as monitoring general health, managing certain medical conditions (like diabetes), or conducting at-home pregnancy tests. You can typically find them in the health or pharmacy section of the store.

However, the availability of specific types of urine test strips may vary. For example, if you are looking for strips designed to measure glucose levels, ketones, or other specific parameters, you may need to check for strips that cater to those particular needs. Urine test strips are also widely available to buy online.

Are all urine test strips the same?

No, not all urine test strips are the same. Urine test strips, also known as urine dipsticks or urine reagent strips (URS for short), come in various types and are designed to measure different parameters in urine. The specific parameters that a urine test strip can detect depend on its intended use and the targeted analytes.

Common parameters measured by urine test strips include:

  1. pH level: Indicates the acidity or alkalinity of urine.
  2. Protein: Detects the presence of proteins in urine.
  3. Glucose: Measures the level of glucose (sugar) in urine.
  4. Ketones: Identifies the presence of ketone bodies, which may be elevated in conditions like diabetes or ketosis.
  5. Blood: Detects the presence of blood in urine, which may be a sign of various conditions.
  6. Specific gravity: Reflects the concentration of solutes in the urine.
  7. Leukocytes (white blood cells): Indicates the presence of inflammation or infection.

Different brands and types of urine test strips may have variations in sensitivity, accuracy, and the specific parameters they can detect. It's crucial to use the appropriate test strip for the desired purpose, whether it's for general health monitoring, diabetes management, or identifying potential urinary tract infections and to always follow the instructions provided with the urine test strips.

Urine test strips are also available to test for pregnancy , ovulation, female hormones that indicate menopause and for drugs and alcohol.

See all urine test strips available for sale online at Valuemed

Are human and dog urine test strips the same?

While both types of urine test strips are designed to analyse urine for various parameters, they are formulated to detect specific markers relevant to either humans or dogs.

Human urine test strips typically measure markers such as glucose, ketones, pH levels, protein, blood, and specific gravity. These parameters can provide insights into various health conditions in humans.

Dog urine test strips are specifically designed to assess the health of dogs. They may measure the same markers as human urine test strips such as glucose, ketones, pH levels, protein, blood, and specific gravity as well, but the reference ranges and the interpretation of the results can vary between species.

Can you send me 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.

Is there a test to see if someone is vaping?

Yes a Cotinine urine test will detect if someone is vaping with a nicotine vape or using any other sources of Nicotine for example smoking, nicotine chewing gum or Nicotine patches.

If you are concerned that someone is vaping other substances such as Cannabis, CBD or Synthetic Cannabis, we now have a vape drug test kit that detects all of these substances including Nicotine.