Test Quick GuideA urinary tract infection (UTI) is an illness in which bacteria or other microbes cause an infection in the urinary tract. Show
The urinary tract consists of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra and serves as the system for collecting urine and eliminating it from the body. UTIs can affect different parts of the urinary tract, but the most common type is a bladder infection. UTIs are the most common infections that occur outside of hospitals in the U.S. Approximately 50% to 60% of adult women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime. At-home UTI testing is one method of detecting a urinary tract infection. Also called a urine dipstick, this test involves dipping a test strip into a sample of urine to check for substances that are often present when you have a urinary tract infection. “UTI at-home testing is important because it helps identify UTIs in your family and can help prevent further damage to your health,” says Victoria Glass M.D., a practicing doctor with a focus on medical research. “This is a common infection that can cause fever, diarrhea, body pain, bladder infection, heart infection, and meningitis.” Although at-home testing may provide helpful information, testing for a UTI at home is not appropriate if you don’t have symptoms. At-home testing is also not a replacement for a medical evaluation performed by a health professional who has more comprehensive test options to diagnose a UTI. Test for Who should use it Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a UTI Test for
Who should use it Anyone who wants to both test and treat a UTI at home Test for
Who should use it Anyone interested in regular UTI testing Purpose of at-home UTI testsThe purpose of UTI testing is to determine if an infection in the urinary tract could be the cause of your symptoms. The symptoms of a UTI can include:
Several tests may be used to determine the cause of these uncomfortable symptoms. The following information describes the purposes of at-home and physician-ordered UTI tests. At-home UTI testing allows you to look for evidence of a urinary tract infection quickly and in the privacy of your home. Performing a urine dipstick test at home involves submerging a test strip in a sample of urine. The dipstick is designed to detect substances that are typically found in the urine of people with a UTI. Test kits often include multiple test strips and a color chart to help interpret test results. Although an at-home test may provide information about whether a UTI could be causing your symptoms, it is not a conclusive test. Diagnosing the cause of your symptoms can only be done by a health professional. Purpose of a physician-ordered UTI testUTI testing is ordered by doctors to diagnose or rule out a urinary tract infection as the cause of a patient’s symptoms. Urinary tract infections are diagnosed based on your symptoms, a physical exam, and/or urine tests. In some cases, doctors may be able to prescribe treatment for a UTI based on symptoms without additional testing. When needed, doctors may order several urine tests to evaluate you for a UTI, including a urinalysis, urine culture, and susceptibility tests.
If you have symptoms that suggest a complicated or recurrent UTI, additional tests may be ordered to check for other problems in the urinary system. Doctors consider testing for a complicated UTI based on your symptoms and other factors that can indicate that the infection may have spread beyond the bladder. For more information about physician-ordered UTI testing, see our guide to UTI testing. What does the test measure?At-home UTI tests check for two substances in the urine: leukocytes and nitrites.
While finding these substances in the urine suggests a UTI in certain patients, testing for them may be misleading in people without symptoms. This is because leukocytes and nitrites may be present in the urine of people without a UTI or in people with other conditions. How do at-home UTI tests work?At-home UTI tests use a test strip called a dipstick to determine if there are nitrites or leukocytes in your urine. You’ll need to hold the test strip in your urine stream for one to two seconds, or dip it into a urine sample collected in a cup. For the best results, it’s recommended to keep your urine in your bladder for two to three hours before testing. After two minutes, you can match the color of your test strip to the color block included with your kit. The color will tell you if you tested positive or negative for a UTI. When should I get an at-home UTI test?An at-home UTI test may provide helpful information if you want to learn whether your symptoms may be related to a urinary tract infection. Although the results of at-home tests may suggest the presence of a UTI, an evaluation by a medical professional is needed to confirm or rule out an infection. Benefits and Downsides of At-Home UTI TestsConsidering the pros and cons of at-home UTI testing may be beneficial if you’re deciding whether or not at-home testing is right for you. Benefits of at-home UTI testing include:
Downsides of at-home UTI testing include:
Ask your doctor for more information about the pros and cons of at-home UTI testing and if testing at home could be helpful in determining the cause of your symptoms. The Best At-Home UTI TestsMost UTI tests are fairly similar. They all use a urine dipstick to test for the presence of nitrites and leukocytes. Where tests differ is often in cost and additional support, such as free physician follow-ups. The following tests are our top choices for at-home UTI tests. MethodologyAt-Home UTI tests were reviewed based on value, convenience, and availability of tests. These overall factors are based on data including price, insurance acceptance, comprehensiveness of tests, and how quickly you can get results and speak to a doctor. UTI test selections have been screened by Testing.com’s Medical Review Board. Price $59 Results timeline 2 minutes Tests for
Accuracy Laboratories are CAP and CLIA certified Combining simple urinary tract infection testing with a free telehealth consultation and prescription if needed, the At-Home UTI Test Kit from myLAB Box is our pick for best overall at-home UTI test. Just unpack the test kit to find everything you’ll need to take the test, which can offer information about whether you may have a UTI. Ordering a test kit from myLAB Box is easy on the myLAB Box website, and shipping is both free and discreet. Once your kit arrives, review the test instructions and collect your urine sample. Avoid urinating for two to three hours before conducting this test. Once your urine sample is collected, dip a test strip into the sample and interpret your results according to the color pattern on the test box. An increase in the intensity of the color on the test strip indicates that you may have an infection in your urinary tract. After completing this UTI test, you can book a free virtual physician consult with myLABBox. The physician can answer your questions or concerns and even discuss treatment options if needed. If your test results suggest a UTI, the doctor can prescribe the appropriate medications during your consultation and explain steps to help prevent future UTIs. If you are experiencing symptoms even though your test results are negative, it’s important to contact your primary care physician to discuss additional testing. WHAT’S GREAT?
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Why is myLAB Box’s at-home UTI test the best overall?myLABBox’s test includes a free physician consultation and prescription if you test positive for a UTI. Who should use MyLAB Box’s at-home UTI test?Anyone experiencing the symptoms of a UTI. Price $25 Results timeline 2 minutes Tests for
Accuracy Clinically tested Uquora’s UTI Emergency Kit is our pick for the best at-home UTI test and relief kit. This test kit includes three items: Clarify, Control, and Soothe, which can both test and manage your UTI. The Clarify box contains three individually wrapped test strips that detect nitrites and leukocytes in a urine sample. To take this test, hold a test strip in your urine stream for one to two seconds. Wait 2 minutes, then read the results by comparing the pads on the test strip to the color chart on the foil pouch. If your test results suggest the presence of a UTI, you can use Combat to help slow its progression. Combat is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication that combines an antibacterial medicine and a pain reliever. Although Combat may inhibit the progression of a UTI, it’s not a treatment for UTIs and cannot replace medical care from your doctor. UTIs can be painful, so the UTI Emergency Kit also includes Soothe. Soothe is a medication that provides fast relief for UTI symptoms such as pain, discomfort, urgency, and burning. If you take Soothe, it’s important to know that a normal side effect of this medication is bright orange urine. The UTI Emergency Kit can be purchased directly from Uquora’s website, which also offers other products that support urinary tract health WHAT’S GREAT?
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Why is Uquora’s UTI Emergency Kit the best overall?Uquora’s UTI Emergency Kit includes medication that can help slow the spread of a UTI and soothe symptoms. Who should use Uquora’s UTI Emergency Kit?Anyone who wants to both test and treat a UTI at home. Price $13, or $12.35 with subscription Results timeline 2 minutes Tests for
Accuracy Clinically tested Our pick for the best UTI test subscription service is the UTI Test from Stix. The company also offers a subscription service that allows you to test for UTIs on a regular basis. The UTI Test kit comes with three pH-balanced wipes, three individually wrapped UTI test kits, and an instruction card to walk you through the steps to take the test. Start by using a wipe to gently clean the outside of your urethra. Then open the foil pouch and remove the test strip. Urinate into the toilet for several seconds before placing the test pad in your urine stream. Leave the test strip in your urine stream for one to two seconds, just enough to dampen the test pad. Dab the test strip on a paper towel, then place it facing up on a flat surface. Set a timer for two minutes. After the first minute, read the result of the nitrites test by comparing it with the color chart printed on the foil pouch. After the second minute, compare the leukocytes test result to the color chart as well. If you’re looking for a test kit that combines UTI testing with pain relief, underwear liners, or a daily dietary supplement, Stix also offers a UTI Complete Combo and a UTI Emergency Combo. WHAT’S GREAT?
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Why is Stix’s at-home UTI test the best subscription option?Stix offers a subscription service that lets you buy UTI test kits at a discount on a regular basis. Who should use Stix’s at-home UTI test?Anyone interested in regular UTI testing. Interpreting At-Home Test ResultsInterpreting the results of an at-home UTI test involves comparing the color of the test pad on the test strip to the chart included with the home test kit. The color of each test pad indicates whether the test was positive or negative for leukocytes or nitrites.
Regardless of the result of your at-home UTI test results, it’s important to review results with a doctor. Diagnosing or ruling out a urinary tract infection may require several additional tests that can only be ordered and interpreted by a medical professional. Are test results accurate?When conducted by a health professional, urine dipstick testing can support a UTI diagnosis if you have symptoms of a UTI. However, evidence is limited about the accuracy of at-home UTI testing. One of the most significant risks for misleading results occurs when people use an at-home UTI test when they have no symptoms. Even positive test results for both leukocytes and nitrites do not suggest a UTI in people without symptoms. False positive test results mean that at-home UTI test results are positive despite not having a UTI. These misleading results may be caused by:
False negative test results mean that at-home UTI test results are negative despite actually having a UTI. These results may be caused by:
Concerns about the accuracy of at-home UTI tests should be discussed with a doctor and the company providing at-home test kits. Do I need follow-up tests?If you have UTI symptoms, follow-up testing is necessary after using at-home UTI tests regardless of the test result. Doctors may order an additional urinalysis, urine culture, and/or susceptibility testing depending on your medical needs. Questions for your doctor after at-home UTI testingIt’s important to talk to your doctor about the results of at-home UTI testing. Helpful questions for your doctor may include:
At-home UTI testing vs. UTI testing in a medical settingObtaining a diagnosis of a urinary tract infection can only occur in a medical setting. Although both physician-ordered and at-home UTI tests may involve using a urine dipstick, a doctor is in the best position to evaluate a person’s symptoms and recommend additional testing, especially if it is a more complicated infection. In some cases, a doctor may prescribe treatment based on a person’s symptoms without any further testing. When needed, physician-ordered testing provides access to a variety of tests used to diagnose and find the cause of a UTI. Important tests that are only available when ordered by a doctor include a complete urinalysis, urine culture, susceptibility testing, and other tests for a complicated UTI.
Resources
SourcesA.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Leukocyte esterase urine test. Updated July 19, 2021. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003584.htm A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia. Urinary tract infection – adults. Updated August 13, 2020. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000521.htm Brusch JL. What role does dipstick testing play in urinary tract infection (UTI) diagnosis? In: Bronze MS, ed. Medscape. Updated January 2, 2020. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.medscape.com/answers/233101-3242/what-role-does-dipstick-testing-play-in-urinary-tract-infection-uti-diagnosis Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Urinary tract infection. Updated October 6, 2021. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.cdc.gov/antibiotic-use/uti.html Chung PH. Urinalysis and urine culture. Merck Manuals Consumer Edition. Updated May 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/diagnosis-of-kidney-and-urinary-tract-disorders/urinalysis-and-urine-culture Fekete T, Hooton TM. Asymptomatic bacteriuria in adults. In: Calderwood SB, ed. UpToDate. Updated April 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/asymptomatic-bacteriuria-in-adults Hooton TM, Gupta K. Acute simple cystitis in women. In: Calderwood SB, ed. UpToDate. Updated April 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-simple-cystitis-in-women Hooton TM, Gupta K. Acute complicated urinary tract infection (including pyelonephritis) in adults. In: Calderwood SB, ed. UpToDate. Updated April 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/acute-complicated-urinary-tract-infection-including-pyelonephritis-in-adults Hooton TM, Gupta K. Urinary tract infections and asymptomatic bacteriuria in pregnancy. In: Calderwood SB, Lockwood CJ, eds. UpToDate. Updated April 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/urinary-tract-infections-and-asymptomatic-bacteriuria-in-pregnancy Milani DAQ, Jialal I. Urinalysis. In: StatPearls. Updated May 8, 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557685/ MedlinePlus: National Library of Medicine. Nitrites in urine. Updated July 31, 2020. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://medlineplus.gov/lab-tests/nitrites-in-urine/ Meyrier A. Sampling and evaluation of voided urine in the diagnosis of urinary tract infection in adults. In: Calderwood SB, ed. UpToDate. Updated April 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/sampling-and-evaluation-of-voided-urine-in-the-diagnosis-of-urinary-tract-infection-in-adults National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. What causes UTIs & UI? Updated May 5, 2022. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/urinary/conditioninfo/causes National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bladder infection (urinary tract infection – UTI) in adults: Definition & facts. Updated March 2017. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/definition-facts National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Bladder infection (urinary tract infection – UTI) in adults: Diagnosis. Updated March 2017. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults/diagnosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. The urinary tract & how it works. Updated June 2020. Accessed June 8, 2022. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/urinary-tract-how-it-works See More See Less Ask a Laboratory Scientist
This form enables patients to ask specific questions about lab tests. Your questions will be answered by a laboratory scientist as part of a voluntary service provided by one of our partners, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. Please allow 2-3 business days for an email response from one of the volunteers on the Consumer Information Response Team. Send Us Your Question Send Us Your QuestionCan you still have a UTI with negative nitrites?If there are nitrites in your urine, it may mean that you have a UTI. But, even if no nitrites are found, you may still have an infection. That's because some types of bacteria don't change nitrates into nitrites.
What happens if your negative for nitrates but positive for leukocytes?If Leukocytes test is positive and Nitrite test is positive: results suggest UTI. If Leukocytes test is positive but Nitrite test is negative: results suggest UTI, repeat test, if Leukocytes still positive, consult healthcare provider.
Does positive leukocytes always mean UTI?A leukocyte esterase (LE) test is just one such test, and is a compound that can be easily checked for on your urine dipsticks to screen for UTI, and can catch an asymptomatic (or early stage) infection. An LE test can also come back positive for infections such as Trichomonas and Chlamydia.
Can you have positive leukocytes in urine without UTI?It is possible to have white blood cells in the urine without a bacterial infection. Sterile pyuria refers to the persistent presence of white blood cells in the urine when no bacteria are found to be present by laboratory examination.
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