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Urine testing strips are from med4u.co.uk
at a cost of £5.00 - details
at the end of the page
When to do it:
i) Every two or three years if you are under the age of 40.
ii) Every year if you are over the age of 40, this is to check for diabetes or blood in the
urine
iii) if you suspect you may have a urine infection or other medical
problem
iv) at least once a month if you are pregnant
Women
Urine tests performed
around the time of menstruation
will
always show blood and protein. Results should be interpreted with this
in mind.
Pregnancy
Every two weeks if you are pregnant, particularly if you have a history
of miscarriages. This is part of routine NHS care, in the second and
third terms of pregnancy
What it means
The kidneys produce urine. It is stored in the bladder. A problem with
the urine may relate to the kidneys or the bladder. For example blood in
the urine may represent a problem with the kidneys or in the bladder. Blood and protein are released into urine by the bladder wall
when it is inflamed during a urine infection.
Protein
A trace of protein, without any other symptoms may be normal (except in
pregnancy) In greater amounts it may indicate a urinary infection, or if
a large amount of protein is present then there may be a problem with
the kidneys. In the first instance a urine sample should be sent to the
laboratory to check for an infection.
On occasions, particularly
in fit young men, albumen ( a type of protein) may be lost in the urine
- for no known reason and does not seem to be harmful. However check this with a doctor.
Pregnancy:
protein
If blood pressure is normal and there is no
ankle swelling, the protein may indicate a urinary tract infection, in
this case the urine should sent to the laboratory for further analysis
as urine infections are associated with miscarriages. If there is a
significant amount of protein in the urine but blood pressure is raised
and there is ankle swelling, this may indicate early pre-eclampsia.
Blood
Around
menstruation (just before and for a few days after) it is normal to find
traces of blood in the urine. At all other times it should be
investigated further.
Infections
are the commonest cause of blood and protein in the urine. Blood may
also indicate a kidney, bladder or prostate problem. If men over 40 have
blood in their urine, it may indicate an enlarged prostate or bladder
papilloma. Your doctor should send urine for further tests, arrange a
cystoscopy (examination of the bladder under anaesthetic) and further
investigation of the kidneys.
Blood
and protein
This is almost
always due to a urine infection. Laboratory checks will
identify the bacteria causing the infection.
Sugar
When the level of sugar in the blood is too high, sugar leaks into the urine.
This is known as diabetes mellitis. It may happen at any age, in younger people
it is usually so severe that they need insulin immediately. As people get older,
the problem is often slightly different. It reflects a general metabolic
problem. These individuals are often overweight, unfit, they may drink to much
alcohol and not exercise. This is known as maturity onset diabetes mellitus.
Sugar in the urine always requires further investigations and treatment
for diabetes. Some pregnant women may become temporarily diabetic
(gestational diabetes).
Ketones
Ketones may be associated with a urinary tract infection. The body
produces ketones when it has run out of sugar to metabolise, unless you
are a diabetic they are not of any significance. For a diabetic they may
indicate that their sugar metabolism is out of control.
Urine testing Kits
Urine testing kit, either pay on line using the Netbanx facility or Please send
a cheque for £5 made payable to med4u Ltd, together with your name and address
to
med4u Ltd, 38 Harwood Rd Fulham SW6 4PH
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