Why do OTC protein test strips not exist?

2011NursingStudent · Feb 28, 2011

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?

Don't need the sarcasm, clearly not having a good day. Yes, I am aware they potentially get worse, hence my wanting to purchase a test strip to find out if it did until I can get to a doctor to get antibiotics. Maybe you are the kind of person that never gets them, or gets them once a year, or something like that, but I get them all the time, have a caffeine and alcohol free diet b/c of it, and typically they do go away. This one time, it did not.

Apparently I am the only one who has ever wanted to know if their UTI turned into a kidney infection before deciding where/when to go, so nevermind, guess that market doesn't exist after all.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

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).

Kidney infections may or may not have high levels of protein..but the urine is cloudy from increased white blood cells and/or pus.

UTI's are things not to be played around with and you cannot diagnose these yourself..most people that say they have a kidney infection actually have a UTI...trust me, I had both chronically for many, many years before they finally stopped.

If you are not having frequent urination/blood in the urine/or the urine is very clear, chances are it is something else...protein is never normal in the urine in anything more than trace amounts and warrants investigation by a physician because proteinuria is typically a sign/symptom of an underlying disorder.

2011NursingStudent · Feb 28, 2011

Kidney infections may or may not have high levels of protein..but the urine is cloudy from increased white blood cells and/or pus.
UTI's are things not to be played around with and you cannot diagnose these yourself..most people that say they have a kidney infection actually have a UTI...trust me, I had both chronically for many, many years before they finally stopped.
If you are not having frequent urination/blood in the urine/or the urine is very clear, chances are it is something else...protein is never normal in the urine in anything more than trace amounts and warrants investigation by a physician because proteinuria is typically a sign/symptom of an underlying disorder.

I know that protein in the urine warrants investigation by a physician, which is why I was commenting that protein test strips should be available.

Also, not looking for medical advice or to comment further on my urine on the internet today.

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Feb 28, 2011

IMHO the main reason urine protein test strips are not available for the typical consumer OTC is 1.they likely wouldn't know why to buy them if they were readily available (hence the lack of marketability & potential profit for the local drug store or mass marketer to carry them), 2. most people just simply want to know if they have an infection that warrants a visit to the doctor (hence the basic OTC strips that test for nitrites and WBC).

The general population does not have a use for strips that test for proteinuria. Those that need this information or to monitor for urine protein would hopefully be under the care of a health care provider who would explain the need for the test and what to do with the results (like a PCP or endocrinologist informs a newly diagnosed diabetic the necessity for blood glucose monitoring and possibly urine ketone monitoring).

The average consumer can be a savvy partner in their own health care.

BabyLady, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

I know that protein in the urine warrants investigation by a physician, which is why I was commenting that protein test strips should be available.
Also, not looking for medical advice or to comment further on my urine on the internet today.

...then I probably wouldn't have posted the question.

CharmedJ7 · Feb 28, 2011

I would surmise that protein urine tests do not exist for reasons already stated - not enough market for them. A UTI w/ fever/chills and/or flank pain, hematuria, etc. is worthy of investigation whether or not there's a confirmed kidney infection (and I use the term confirmed loosely because of course proteinuria is not the gold standard test for kidney infection). That said, I've certainly personally looked into a home supply of urine dipsticks and it seems easy enough to do on the internet.

I do not think for the general populace the difference matters much - I wouldn't want lay people (or really any people) deciding not to seek tx just because it looked like it was just a UTI on an OTC test - if the symptoms are there and severe and/or persistent, I would want them in my office and/or ER.

I'm speaking generally of course.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Feb 28, 2011

Test stripes available at most pharmacies --ask at counter:

Bayer Uristix:

31s9SW03YDL._SL500_SS100_.jpg

Also Siemens Albuminstix/Clinistix and other mfg available. With cost about $35.00. Unless one has an established relationship with PCP due to frequent UTI's PCP will request visit prior to RX for antibiotic and do in office test. Test strips only last 3-6 months after opening bottle due to humidity/temp. Add in cost of office visit,often cheaper just to see the PCP or visit urgent care clinic.

2011NursingStudent · Feb 28, 2011

Test stripes available at most pharmacies --ask at counter:
Bayer Uristix:
Also Siemens Albuminstix/Clinistix and other mfg available. With cost about $35.00. Unless one has an established relationship with PCP due to frequent UTI's PCP will request visit prior to RX for antibiotic and do in office test. Test strips only last 3-6 months after opening bottle due to humidity/temp. Add in cost of office visit,often cheaper just to see the PCP or visit urgent care clinic.

Thank you! Cost of a visit for me is $140, so I want a good idea of what's wrong with me before I go and spend that. If its likely going to be taken care of by my immune system if I drink a bunch of cranberry juice, I'd rather go that route, but if I'm on the verge of sepsis or something, I'd like to know. Will end up ordering them online though, just b/c of the cheaper cost.

2011NursingStudent · Feb 28, 2011

...then I probably wouldn't have posted the question.

The question was "why do they not sell protein dipsticks" and someone had responded about my urine and that if it was not cloudy, or if I didn't frequently urinate, that I "probably didn't have a UTI". I never asked if I had a UTI, and said I would not comment on my urine.

CoffeeRTC, BSN, RN · Feb 28, 2011

I had to get the strips when I was pregnant and had to ask the pharmacist for them. The do cost $$ and have a short shelf life.

If you get them frequently, know your s/s and have a relationship with a doc already, most practices would be willing to call you something in over the phone.

allnurses Guide · Feb 28, 2011

OK guys, I think this thread is just about done now.

Closed