🧪 Urinary Test Strips (Dipstick)

A practical guide to bedside urinalysis – parameters, interpretation, and clinical use.

📋 Overview of test strips

Proper technique for dipstick testing

A variety of test strips for urinalysis are available. Some have a specific purpose, e.g.:

Others cast a wider net, combining multiple parameters:

Specific gravity pH Leucocytes Nitrites Glucose Urobilinogen Bilirubin Ketones Protein / Albumin Blood

Glycosuria results when tubular reabsorptive capacity for glucose is exceeded – typically plasma glucose > 10 mmol/L.
A valuable screening tool, but less useful for diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes mellitus.
Renal glycosuria occurs when proximal tubular injury leads to failure to reabsorb filtered glucose (normal plasma glucose).

Dipsticks are convenient and highly specific but less sensitive than quantitative methods.
They contain pH‑sensitive indicators that change colour when bound to negatively charged proteins – predominantly albumin (may not detect Bence‑Jones proteins).
Dipsticks have superseded sulphosalicylic acid turbidity testing.
A positive result occurs with protein excretion >300 mg/L.
Lower amounts (microalbuminuria: 30–300 mg/day) require specific immunoassays or sensitive dipsticks, especially in diabetes.

📌 Persistent dipstick proteinuria (≥1+) requires confirmation with urine protein‑to‑creatinine ratio (uPCR) or albumin‑to‑creatinine ratio (uACR).

For a complete reference on urine appearance, microscopy, casts and crystals, visit: