Why do OTC protein test strips not exist?

Nurses General Nursing

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So I've had a UTI for a good 3 weeks and today, (of course when I planned to do all my homework) I have a fever, chills, lower back ache and this is the first time I've done anything that could be considered productive today (typed) b/c I have such extreme fatigue. It took me over an hour to make soup b/c I couldn't find the energy to go get the cup of soup out of the microwave. The reason I haven't gone to the doctor is b/c it wasn't bothering me that much until today.

So I asked my fiancee to go to the drug store and see if they had OTC tests to test for protein in the urine b/c I wanted to know if it was "just" a UTI or a kidney infection, in which case I'd actually get dressed and go somewhere to get antibiotics today.

I guess OTC test strips for protein don't exist? I'm not asking for medical advice here, I'm just wondering if anybody knows why the heck they don't make those available? Seems like it would be good information for people to have, knowing if what they have is serious or can wait until the next avail. doctors appointment. (It's Sunday).

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

OTC Urine test strips do exist. They just don't sell them in Target, Walmart ect. Google Uristix

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Yea, I did see ones that could be shipped. Will keep that in mind for the future. It seems like a product that might be profitable for drugstores though. Was wondering if there was a specific reason they wouldn't want to, or if they just hadn't really come up with that as a product yet.

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Specializes in Cardiology and ER Nursing.

Most people are stupid and wouldn't know the first thing about what the results meant. There also likely isn't very much demand for them and the profit margins aren't high enough. Most large chain stores don't put something on the shelf if they are only going to sell 1 or 2 in a year.

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Specializes in COS-C, Risk Management.

It seems to me that I remember seeing pee sticks at Walgreens or some such that would give a color response relative to a UTI. Maybe I was dreaming, though.

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It seems to me that I remember seeing pee sticks at Walgreens or some such that would give a color response relative to a UTI. Maybe I was dreaming, though.

They do, but they test for white blood cells and nitrates, not protein.

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Specializes in LTC.

I have a feeling that they don't make them because the general public wouldn't know what protein in the urine means.

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Specializes in Medical Surgical.
So I've had a UTI for a good 3 weeks and today, (of course when I planned to do all my homework) I have a fever, chills, lower back ache

And you haven't gone to the doctor yet? :uhoh3: :confused:

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And you haven't gone to the doctor yet? :uhoh3: :confused:

Nope, refer to last sentence, first paragraph. In fact I was at the doctor about 3 1/2 weeks ago, and if you really want to know, I suspect that was the cause of this whole thing. (Annual exam). Same thing happens every time I get one of those, but usually it goes away on its own.

That's why I thought possibly this was a fairly common thing for women, and would be nice if test strips were avail. at drugstores to know if an immediate visit is warranted.

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Specializes in LTC,Hospice/palliative care,acute care.

Test strips to determine if you have a UTI are readily available in every pharmacy and big box store. Strips that check for protein are not as commonI have to use them on a cat frequently and they are not as easy to find. I don't think you should ignore symptoms of a UTI for over three weeks since doing so can lead to kidney involvement. Since you know your annual leads to a UTI you should be more pro-active in preventing it (drink lots and lots of c-berry and blue berry juice afterwards and consult your physician about a prophy-but I'd force fluids first to see if that was effective) Clinics are BIG business these days-We have three within 2O mins and this is a semi rural area.They are all open on weekends and holidays.You should take care of yourself first..

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Test strips to determine if you have a UTI are readily available in every pharmacy and big box store. Strips that check for protein are not as commonI have to use them on a cat frequently and they are not as easy to find. I don't think you should ignore symptoms of a UTI for over three weeks since doing so can lead to kidney involvement. Since you know your annual leads to a UTI you should be more pro-active in preventing it (drink lots and lots of c-berry and blue berry juice afterwards and consult your physician about a prophy-but I'd force fluids first to see if that was effective) Clinics are BIG business these days-We have three within 2O mins and this is a semi rural area.They are all open on weekends and holidays.You should take care of yourself first..

This is true. Cranberry juice was the plan...have been busy w/school though, not paying enough attention to myself. Since I've survived the day, will just wait until the morning and call the doctor. The test strips in the store though for me are kind of a "duh" - I know I have a UTI, it was the kidney infection I was specifically worried about when I got the fever/chills. I just feel like if these strips are so simple to use, it'd be nice if they were more available to the consumer.

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Specializes in Emergency & Trauma/Adult ICU.
The test strips in the store though for me are kind of a "duh" - I know I have a UTI, it was the kidney infection I was specifically worried about when I got the fever/chills. I just feel like if these strips are so simple to use, it'd be nice if they were more available to the consumer.

An untreated UTI, even if it begins in the meatus or lower urethra, always has the potential to travel up the urethra and from there potentially progress to sepsis ... but you knew that, right?

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