Measure leukocytes in urine with the test strip
During a urinalysis, the leukocyte test strip measures the leukocyte value in the urine . The leukocytes indicate pathogens in the human blood. If there are parasitic or bacterial pathogens in the blood, a rapid test will provide information. This urine analysis is carried out by experts in a laboratory or directly via the rapid test.
The test strips work using color changes that indicate the leukocyte concentration. Those affected catch the midstream urine in a container. The patients get to the midstream urine by draining urine in order to then hold back the urine. The amount of urine that follows is called midstream urine. They dip the appropriate test strip into the collected urine. The strip has several fields that react to certain components in the urine.
The leukocyte-responsive test strip
If users wet the leukocyte test strip with urine, it reacts neutrally to the normal value of the white blood cells. This normal value is ten leukocytes in the urine. If the strip changes color significantly, there are significantly more leukocytes in the urine sample.
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In this case, the person concerned may have an illness. The urine sediment is still suitable for measuring the leukocytes in the urine. This is also deposited on a special test strip. Here it is examined under the microscope. If the doctor discovers more than five leukocytes, he also assumes that the test person is ill.
If patients carry out a leukocyte test according to medical instructions, they hand in the discolored test strips to the practice. In a professional laboratory, there is an explicit assessment of the measured results. The physician determines the cell types occurring in the urine. Other substances that a high-quality leukocyte test strip measures in the urine include
- Glucose,
- Ketone,
- erythrocytes ,
- proteins,
- nitrite,
- Bilirubin
- and the pH of the urine.
The advantages of the test strips
A particular advantage of the leukocyte test strips is their quick and uncomplicated result. If there is a suspicion of a urinary infection, those affected use these test strips to confirm or reject it. If the test reacts positively to pathogens, antibiotic treatment is given immediately by the general practitioner. The user of the test strip hands over the corresponding swab to this person. If necessary, more detailed tests can be carried out in the laboratory. Interested parties can get the test strips from the pharmacy. In the package there is a simple instruction that makes it easy to apply the items.
The disadvantages of the test strips
If those affected measure certain substances in the urine with the leukocyte test strip, the test says nothing about their quantity. If a rapid test is used incorrectly, bacteria will get into the sample. These falsify the result.
The same happens when patients bring the urine sample to their family doctor with insufficient sealing. Furthermore, the test yields uncertain results when taking various medications. Using the test strips during the woman’s menstrual period does not work. In particular, the value of the leukocytes changes in people who do a lot of sport. Here, the test strip indicates an illness, since exertion causes leukocytes to get into the urine.
What diseases does the leukocyte test strip detect?
If there are numerous leukocytes on the test strip, this indicates pus urine. Patients have cloudy urine with a pungent odor. Diseases that lead to this pyuria are inflammations of the renal pelvis and bladder. If there are blood streaks in the urine in addition to the leukocytes, those affected suffer from kidney stones. Another clinical picture is renal tuberculosis.
If interested parties examine the urine with a leukocyte test strip, they measure other substances in the urine in addition to the leukocyte concentration. This confirms diagnoses for diseases – this entails a visit to the family doctor. However, if used incorrectly, the test carries the risk of a misdiagnosis.
