UTI test strips: how home tests work, and when they miss
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- AZO UTI test strips. Best for: An occasional quick check. See options on Amazon
- Easy@Home UTI test strips, 20 pack. Best for: People with frequent UTIs who track with their provider. See options on Amazon
What UTI test strips check
| Pad | What it detects | Caveats from MedlinePlus |
|---|---|---|
| Nitrite | Nitrites made when many UTI bacteria convert normal nitrates | A negative does not rule out infection; some bacteria don't make nitrites |
| Leukocyte esterase | Signs of white blood cells in urine | Trichomonas or vaginal secretions can cause an abnormal result without a UTI; high protein or vitamin C can hide a true positive |
MedlinePlus says these at-home kits, also called urine dipstick tests or UTI test strips, are available without a prescription. Some multi-panel strips add pads such as pH; read your kit's instructions for what each pad means.
How to test at home
- Check the date. MedlinePlus says don't buy or use expired tests, since the chemicals can lose effectiveness.
- Collect cleanly. Wash your hands, clean the genital area front to back, start urinating into the toilet, then catch the midstream portion in a clean cup. This clean catch method keeps skin germs out of the sample.
- Dip or hold. Hold the strip in your urine stream, or dip it in the cup, as your kit directs.
- Time it. Read each pad at the time stated in the instructions, comparing colors to the chart.
- Follow instructions exactly. MedlinePlus says even minor changes can affect results.
For a lab test, MedlinePlus describes the same clean catch steps in more detail: open the container without touching the inside, urinate into the toilet for a few seconds, then collect at least an ounce or two in the container without letting it touch your body, and finish in the toilet. If you have bleeding hemorrhoids or your period, tell your provider before a lab test.
Why a negative can be wrong
MedlinePlus is direct: at-home UTI tests are quick and easy to use, but they don't always provide accurate results, and your results may say you don't have a UTI when you really do. Even when no nitrites are found, you may still have an infection, because some types of bacteria don't change nitrates into nitrites. High levels of protein or vitamin C in urine can also interfere with a positive leukocyte result.
So if you have symptoms, a negative strip is not a reason to skip care. If you think you have a UTI, MedlinePlus says to ask your provider which test is right for you; a urine culture can show what bacteria are present and guide the choice of antibiotic.
UTI symptoms to watch for
MedlinePlus lists symptoms of a UTI:
- Frequent urges to urinate, even with little urine in the bladder
- Pain or burning when urinating
- Dark, cloudy or reddish urine
- Bad-smelling urine
- Weakness, fatigue or confusion, mainly in older people
- Fever, which may be a sign of a kidney infection
MedlinePlus says UTIs are one of the most common infections, especially in women, and are usually treated with antibiotics; untreated UTIs can spread to the kidneys, which can be serious.
Most UTIs affect the bladder and the urethra, the tube that carries urine out of the body, and most are not serious, MedlinePlus says, but it stresses diagnosing and treating them early. That matters more than any single home result.
Comfort while you wait for care
Home strips do not treat anything. For comfort while you arrange care, see our heating pad for UTI pain guide. MedlinePlus advises using only FDA-approved or FDA-authorized home tests, and not changing your medicines based on a test result without talking with your provider.
When to see a provider
See a provider if you have UTI symptoms, whatever the strip shows, and promptly for fever, back or side pain, vomiting, confusion in an older adult, symptoms during pregnancy, or symptoms in a child. MedlinePlus says at-home tests are not a replacement for guidance and treatment by your provider, and that you should follow up regardless of the result. For other home tests, see our pregnancy tests guide and ovulation test strips guide.
What to look for when you buy
AZO UTI test strips
Best for: An occasional quick check
Strips that check nitrites and white blood cells match the home kits MedlinePlus describes.
Watch out: A negative can be wrong; see a provider if you have symptoms.
See options on AmazonEasy@Home UTI test strips, 20 pack
Best for: People with frequent UTIs who track with their provider
A larger pack for repeat checks, used alongside the follow-up MedlinePlus recommends.
Watch out: Check the expiration date before each use.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do at-home UTI test strips work?
- They check nitrites and white blood cells, but MedlinePlus says they don't always give accurate results.
- Can I have a UTI with a negative test strip?
- Yes. Some bacteria don't make nitrites, so a negative strip can miss an infection.
- What can cause a false positive?
- MedlinePlus lists trichomonas infection and vaginal secretions such as blood or heavy discharge.
- Does vitamin C affect UTI test strips?
- High levels of vitamin C can interfere with a positive leukocyte result, per MedlinePlus.
- Do I still need a doctor if the strip is positive?
- Yes. UTIs are usually treated with antibiotics, and a provider may order a urine culture.
Sources
- Nitrites in Urine (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- Leukocyte esterase urine test (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine
- At-Home Medical Tests (medlineplus.gov), MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine