General Information on Labstix Strips
Labstix Strips are primarily used for testing the levels of bilirubin, glucose, ketone, blood, specific gravity, pH, urobilinogen, protein, leukocytes, and nitrite. It is normally prescribed for patients who are suffering from urinary tract disease, diabetes mellitus, and other medical conditions. You can easily buy labstix strips from any pharmacy and use them at a clinic or even at home.
Labstix strips are small pads that change colors based on the presence of different levels of glucose or ketones in the urine. These pads also change color according to the level of blood and protein in the urine and according to the pH level of the urine. The degree of change in color as shown in the pad will reflect the level of substances in the blood and your body. Monitoring these levels will help a patient understand his/her current medical condition and take the medication accordingly or as required.
Side effects of Labstix Strips
There are no known side effects of Labstix Strips
Precautions
If you are planning to buy Labstix Strips and use them to measure glucose, blood, and ketones in the urine, then there are a few precautions you need to take. You must first check the expiry date on the bottle or pack. Some pharmacies may inadvertently sell expired packs, and if you buy one of these, then the result shown by these pads will be incorrect and will not help in effectively monitoring your medical condition. If you are suffering from diabetes, you should use Labstix Strips only to measure glucose levels. It should be used only as a screening tool, and the results should not induce you to stop the administration of insulin. If you notice any positive results while using Labstix Strips, notify your doctor of the same. Sometimes, the results of the test can get altered if you are already on a medication or some form of a nutritional or herbal supplement. In such a scenario, it is advisable to consult your doctor first. Labstix Strips are available in packaged containers and should be kept at room temperature and away from direct sunlight.
Labstix Strips Dosage
Labstix Strips should be used for testing a fresh urine specimen which is not more than 4 hours old. It is important to first place the urine in a clean and dry container. Remove one strip from the bottle and replace the cap immediately. Immerse all reagent areas into the urine specimen and wipe off the excess urine from the rim of the container. Dab off any residual urine using a tissue paper. Hold the Labstix strip in a vertical position and refer to the bottle label for monitoring specific reagent areas. Compare the color in the test area with the color scale provided on the label. For optimal results, it is important to read the colors precisely and complete the test when the urine is fresh. If you see any change in color after a few minutes or at the edges of the strip, then it will be of no diagnostic value.
Interactions
There are no known interactions of Labstix Strips with other drugs.
