Urine Protein Test

Test strips expire because their chemical reagents can degrade over time, affecting accuracy. The expiration date ensures the strips perform reliably under proper storage conditions. Diagnox test strips are designed for long-lasting accuracy, backed by rigorous stability testing. For best results, use the strips before their expiration date and store them as recommended.

To manage proteinuria naturally, adjust your diet by reducing protein intake, especially from animal sources, and focus on plant-based proteins. Increase your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains while cutting back on salt and processed foods.

‍

Read more about proteinuria or protein in urine here.

To test for protein in urine at home, follow these steps:

Start by collecting a fresh urine sample in a clean container. Use a urine test strip designed to detect protein, such as Diagnox's Protein Urine Test Strips. Dip the test strip into the urine sample and wait for the specified reaction time, usually a few seconds to a minute.

After the reaction time, compare the color change on the test strip to the provided color chart. This will help you determine the amount of protein in your urine.

For accurate results, follow the instructions on the test strip packaging carefully. If you find elevated levels of protein or have concerns about your results, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation and advice.

To naturally reduce protein in urine, focus on a balanced diet with less animal protein and more plant-based options, while increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Manage your weight, control blood pressure, and reduce salt intake to lessen kidney strain. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar levels in check. For personalized advice and monitoring, consult with a healthcare provider.

Ideally, the specimen for routine urinalysis should be examined while fresh (less than 1 hour; 2 hours maximum). If this is not possible, it should be refrigerated immediately and/or have an appropriate chemical preservative added until examined. Specimens stored at room temperature will soon begin to decompose, mainly due to the presence of bacteria in the sample. Refrigerated samples should be used within 24 hours of collection.

‍

Diagnox urine protein test offers clinical-grade accuracy. The analytical performance of the protein reagent pad with urine controls in a multi-site study demonstrates a mean test accuracy of 96.67% (percentage exact match) when reading strips visually (n=180).

Click this link to learn more about the clinical validation data.

Urine tests can sometimes give false results, meaning they show a problem when there isn't actually one (false positive) and similarly do not correctly determine a problem when there is one (false negative). This can happen for different reasons as explained below.

False Positives on a Urine Protein Test

Urine tests can sometimes give false-positive results for different reasons, such as if the urine is too old or if certain substances or medications are present. Also, if the test is not used properly or if the urine container is not sterile or properly cleaned, it can also give a false-positive result. So, it's important to take these factors into account when interpreting urine test results.

For the urine protein test, false-positive results may occur in highly buffered alkaline urine, which may result from alkaline medication or stale urine. If the dipstick is left in the urine for too long, the chemicals (buffers) on the reagent pads may wash out, resulting in the strip turning blue or green, even if the protein is not present.

Detergents, antiseptics, and quaternary ammonium compounds used to clean the urine container can also result in false positives. Therefore, collecting urine samples in clean, sterile containers is highly recommended. Certain medications and substances, such as phenazopyridine, polyvinylpyrrolidone, and chlorhexidine gluconate (commonly found is skin cleansers), may also cause false positives. Additionally, the presence of blood or high levels of bilirubin may interfere with the accuracy of the test.

Alkaline urine, highly pigmented urine, or concentrated urine (with high specific gravity) can also cause false positives.

False Negatives on a Urine Protein Test

False-negative results can occur in dilute urines and when proteins other than albumin are present in slightly elevated concentrations.

‍

An alkaline urine can generate false-positives. A urine specimen may have a high pH because of medication, vegetarian diet, or if the urine is old. The test can also show a positive result if the test strip is left in the urine for too long. The cleaning products used to clean the urine container can also affect the test results. Some medications and substances used in medical treatments can also cause the test to show a false-positive result. Blood in the urine or high levels of bilirubin can also make the test show a false-positive result.

If all usage instructions are followed correctly, and no significant change in color is noticed in the pad colors after the listed time, it likely represents a negative result.

Yes, you can directly urinate on the strip.

Urine tests can sometimes give false results, meaning they show a problem when there isn't actually one and similarly do not correctly determine a problem when there is one. This can happen for different reasons, such as if the urine is too old or if certain substances or medications are present. Also, if the test is not used properly or if the urine container is not sterile or properly cleaned, it can also give false results.

Common reasons that cause false readings on a urinalysis test are:

• Taking specific drugs, such as Levodopa, Phenazopyrazine, and a high dosage of Vitamin C can cause a false positive for Ketone.
• Dehydration, high specific gravity, and a delayed urine sample can also cause a false positive for Ketone.
• Urine with a pH of 7.5, urine with the presence of penicillin, pus, semen, or vaginal can cause a false positive for high protein in the urine.
• A high dosage of Vitamin C can cause false-negative nitrite.
• Drug Tetracycline can cause false-negative leukocytes.
• Vitamin C in urine can also cause false-negative results for blood cells and glucose.

Urine parameters can change throughout the day due to your diet and fluid intake.

The first-morning sample is usually considered best because it is more concentrated and more likely to detect abnormalities. The urinalysis that tests specifically for nitrites and bacteria requires time to convert nitrates to nitrites. Supposing that if you have slept for at least four hours without urinating, the bacteria has had sufficient time to complete the conversion and provide a rich sample for testing.

Your healthcare provider can guide you on the best times to conduct urinalysis based on your health and body needs. A 24-hour urine test is sometimes recommended to track daily urine parameters

The urine should be collected using the ‘Clean Catch’ method. To make sure that you get an accurate urinalysis test every time, please see some important points below:

• Use only clean, preferably, sterile urine specimen containers.
• Before taking the test, make sure that your hands and genital area are clean.
• Midstream urine is the best sample for urinalysis.
• Examination of the urine with test strips should be carried out as soon as possible.
• Cleaning agents and disinfectants can distort results (false-positive findings for different parameters).

Individual wrapping of Urinox test strips ensures that each urinalysis strip is fresh and not altered by atmospheric conditions so that you get a reliable result every time. This also allows urine test strips to have a shelf life of 24 months from the manufacturing date. Most conventional urinalysis products have a brief shelf life of 30-60 days after opening the bottle. Individual wrapping of strips has various benefits, including less strip wastage, portability for travel, and storage convenience.