What Are the 10 Parameters on a Urine Test Strip?

A 10-parameter urine test strip contains multiple chemically treated reagent areas that allow several urine chemistry markers to be screened from a single specimen.

A common 10-parameter configuration includes:

• LEU – Leukocytes
• NIT – Nitrite
• URO – Urobilinogen
• PRO – Protein
• pH – Acidity / Alkalinity
• BLO – Blood
• SG – Specific Gravity
• KET – Ketones
• BIL – Bilirubin
• GLU – Glucose

Together, these parameters provide a broad urine chemistry screening profile that can contribute useful information about urinary tract findings, glucose and ketone metabolism, urine concentration and other biochemical changes.

However, a urine reagent strip is primarily a screening and monitoring tool. Individual results should not be interpreted as a standalone medical diagnosis.

For a broader introduction to urinalysis, read our Urinalysis & Urine Test Strips Complete Guide.

10 Urine Test Strip Parameters at a Glance

Abbreviation	Parameter	What It Screens
LEU	Leukocytes	Leukocyte activity in urine
NIT	Nitrite	Nitrite produced by certain bacteria
URO	Urobilinogen	Urobilinogen present in urine
PRO	Protein	Protein present in urine
pH	Urine pH	Relative acidity or alkalinity
BLO	Blood	Blood-related reactions in urine
SG	Specific Gravity	Relative urine concentration
KET	Ketones	Ketone bodies detected by the reagent system
BIL	Bilirubin	Bilirubin present in urine
GLU	Glucose	Glucose present in urine

1. LEU – Leukocytes in Urine

LEU stands for leukocytes, commonly known as white blood cells.

The leukocyte reagent area is designed to screen for leukocyte-associated activity in the urine specimen.

Leukocytes may be present when inflammation or infection affects the urinary tract, but a positive LEU result does not by itself establish the cause.

What Can a Positive LEU Result Mean?

A positive leukocyte result may be seen in several situations, including urinary tract inflammation or infection.

Interpretation should consider:

• Urinary symptoms
• Nitrite result
• Specimen collection quality
• Microscopy findings where available
• Urine culture where clinically required

Does Positive LEU Confirm a UTI?

No.

Leukocytes can contribute to UTI screening, but a positive result alone does not confirm a urinary tract infection.

2. NIT – Nitrite in Urine

NIT stands for nitrite.

Certain bacteria can convert naturally occurring urinary nitrate into nitrite. A positive nitrite reagent-pad result can therefore contribute useful information during urinary tract screening.

Does Positive Nitrite Mean a UTI?

A positive nitrite result may support suspicion of bacterial urinary tract infection in the appropriate clinical setting, but it should not be treated as definitive by itself.

Can a UTI Have a Negative Nitrite Result?

Yes.

A negative nitrite result does not rule out infection because:

• Not all urinary bacteria produce nitrite.
• The urine may not have remained in the bladder long enough for detectable nitrite to form.
• Dietary nitrate availability varies.
• Specimen handling and other factors can influence results.

LEU + NIT Together: What Do They Tell Us?

Leukocytes and nitrite are commonly interpreted together during urinary tract screening.

LEU	NIT	General Screening Interpretation
Negative	Negative	No positive LEU/NIT screening signal, but infection is not completely excluded
Positive	Negative	Leukocytes detected; interpret with symptoms and additional testing
Negative	Positive	Nitrite detected; bacterial involvement may be considered
Positive	Positive	Both screening markers present; clinical evaluation may be appropriate

This table is for general educational understanding only and is not a diagnostic algorithm.

3. URO – Urobilinogen in Urine

URO stands for urobilinogen.

Urobilinogen is formed during the normal metabolism of bilirubin and can be present in urine within expected ranges.

The reagent area provides screening information about the amount of urobilinogen detected in the specimen.

What Does Abnormal Urobilinogen Mean?

Changes in urinary urobilinogen can occur for different reasons and should not be interpreted independently as a diagnosis.

Interpretation may need to consider:

• Bilirubin result
• Other laboratory tests
• Clinical history
• Symptoms
• Medication and specimen factors

4. PRO – Protein in Urine

PRO stands for protein.

The protein reagent area screens for protein in the urine specimen and is generally more sensitive to albumin than to some other urinary proteins.

Does Protein in Urine Mean Kidney Disease?

Not necessarily.

Protein may occur temporarily or persistently for a variety of reasons.

A single positive urine protein strip result should therefore not automatically be interpreted as kidney disease.

Repeated or unexpected findings may require appropriate laboratory and clinical evaluation.

Focused Glucose + Protein Testing

If glucose and protein are the only two parameters required, a focused two-parameter strip may be more appropriate than a full 10-parameter product.

View Microsidd Glucose + Protein Urine Test Strips →

View Mission 2GP Glucose + Protein Urine Test Strips →

5. pH – Urine Acidity and Alkalinity

The pH reagent area indicates whether the urine specimen is relatively acidic or alkaline.

Urine pH can vary naturally and may be influenced by factors including:

• Diet
• Metabolism
• Medication
• Specimen age
• Urinary conditions
• Other physiological factors

A urine pH result should therefore be interpreted in context rather than treated as a disease-specific marker.

Why Can an Old Urine Sample Affect pH?

Urine chemistry can change after collection. Delayed testing or inappropriate storage may alter specimen characteristics and affect interpretation.

Fresh urine is generally preferred for routine reagent-strip testing unless the specific testing protocol states otherwise.

6. BLO – Blood in Urine

BLO refers to the reagent area used to screen for blood-related reactions in urine.

The reagent system may respond to components associated with red blood cells, hemoglobin or myoglobin depending on the product and specimen conditions.

What Does a Positive Blood Result Mean?

An unexpected positive result can occur for several possible reasons and should not automatically be assigned to a specific condition.

Persistent or clinically significant findings may require additional investigation such as microscopy or other laboratory testing.

7. SG – Specific Gravity

SG stands for specific gravity.

Specific gravity provides an estimate of the relative concentration of the urine specimen.

More concentrated urine generally has a higher specific gravity, while more dilute urine generally has a lower value.

What Influences Urine Specific Gravity?

Factors can include:

• Fluid intake
• Fluid loss
• Timing of collection
• Solutes present in the urine
• Physiological and clinical circumstances

Specific gravity can contribute useful information about urine concentration but should not be treated by itself as a measurement of kidney function.

8. KET – Ketones in Urine

KET stands for ketones.

Ketones are produced when the body uses fat as an important source of energy.

Urinary ketones may be detected in situations including:

• Fasting
• Reduced carbohydrate intake
• Prolonged exercise
• Vomiting
• Illness
• Inadequate insulin availability

Are Urine Ketones Always Abnormal?

No. The significance depends on the person's circumstances.

However, significant ketones in a person with diabetes—particularly when accompanied by high blood glucose, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid breathing, weakness, confusion or other concerning symptoms—may require prompt medical assessment.

Focused Glucose + Ketone Testing

If glucose and ketones are the only required parameters, choose a focused GLU + KET reagent strip.

View Microsidd Glucose + Ketone Urine Test Strips →

View Mission 2GK Glucose + Ketone Urine Test Strips →

9. BIL – Bilirubin in Urine

BIL stands for bilirubin.

The bilirubin reagent area screens for bilirubin present in the urine specimen.

An unexpected bilirubin result may require additional evaluation, but the reagent-strip result alone cannot diagnose a liver or biliary condition.

Bilirubin vs Urobilinogen

Bilirubin and urobilinogen are related through bilirubin metabolism but represent different urine chemistry parameters.

They should be considered together with other laboratory findings and clinical information rather than interpreted in isolation.

10. GLU – Glucose in Urine

GLU stands for glucose.

The glucose reagent area screens for glucose present in the urine specimen.

The kidneys normally reabsorb most filtered glucose. Urinary glucose may appear when blood glucose rises above the kidney's ability to reabsorb glucose, although other causes are possible.

Can Urine Glucose Diagnose Diabetes?

No.

Urinary glucose provides indirect screening information and does not directly measure current blood glucose concentration.

Diagnosis and monitoring of diabetes may require appropriate blood glucose testing, HbA1c and clinical evaluation.

Urine Glucose vs Blood Glucose

Urine Glucose	Blood Glucose
Detects glucose excreted into urine	Measures glucose directly in blood
Indirect screening information	Direct glucose measurement
Influenced by renal glucose threshold	Reflects blood glucose at the time of testing
Uses urine reagent strips	Usually uses a compatible glucose meter and strip

How the 10 Parameters Work Together

The main advantage of a 10-parameter urine strip is not simply that it performs more tests. It provides a broader biochemical picture from one urine specimen.

For example:

Parameter Combination	Why They May Be Considered Together
LEU + NIT	Common urinary tract screening combination
GLU + KET	Glucose and ketone metabolism screening
PRO + BLO + SG	Can contribute information during broader urinary assessment
BIL + URO	Related biochemical urine screening parameters
pH + SG	Provides basic information about urine characteristics

These combinations do not form standalone diagnostic panels. They are simply examples of why several urine chemistry parameters may be useful when interpreted together.

Which 10-Parameter Urine Test Strips Are Available?

Microsidd currently offers options for broader 10-parameter urine chemistry screening.

Microsidd URS10T

Microsidd URS10T screens:

LEU, NIT, URO, PRO, pH, BLO, SG, KET, BIL and GLU.

It is supplied as a 100-test pack for visual urine chemistry testing.

View Microsidd URS10T 10-Parameter Urine Test Strips →

Mission 10U

Microsidd also supplies Mission 10U Urinalysis Reagent Strips for broader multi-parameter urine chemistry screening.

View Mission 10U →

10-Parameter Strip vs 2-Parameter Strip

Testing Requirement	Recommended Strip Type
Glucose + Protein only	GLU + PRO 2-parameter strip
Glucose + Ketones only	GLU + KET 2-parameter strip
Glucose only	Single-parameter glucose strip
Broader routine urine chemistry screening	10-parameter strip

More parameters are not automatically better. The correct product is the one that matches the intended testing requirement.

For a detailed buyer comparison, read:

Urine Test Strips Comparison: Glucose + Protein vs Glucose + Ketone vs 10 Parameter →

How to Use a 10-Parameter Urine Test Strip

The exact procedure and reading times vary by manufacturer, so always follow the Instructions for Use supplied with the specific product.

A typical procedure involves:

1. Collecting a fresh urine specimen in a clean, suitable container.
2. Removing one reagent strip without touching the test pads.
3. Closing the strip container immediately.
4. Immersing all reagent areas into the urine specimen according to the product instructions.
5. Removing the strip after the specified immersion period.
6. Removing excess urine as instructed.
7. Allowing the reagent reactions to develop.
8. Comparing each pad with the correct parameter row on the colour chart at its specified reading time.
9. Recording the results where required.
10. Disposing of the used strip appropriately.

Why Each Parameter Has Its Own Reading Time

Different reagent chemistries do not necessarily react at the same speed.

This means the leukocyte pad, glucose pad, protein pad and other reagent areas may have different recommended interpretation times.

Reading every pad at one arbitrary time can reduce the reliability of visual interpretation.

Always use the timing instructions supplied with the exact strip.

Use the Correct Colour Chart

Urine test strip colour charts are product-specific.

Do not use:

• A colour chart from another brand
• A chart from a different parameter configuration
• An internet image instead of the chart supplied with the test
• A faded or damaged reference chart where accurate colours cannot be distinguished

The chemical formulation and colour scales can differ between reagent-strip systems.

Collecting the Urine Sample

Good testing begins with suitable specimen collection.

A clean urine specimen container helps provide a practical sample for reagent-strip testing while reducing external contamination.

View Urine Specimen Container →

Special tests such as urine culture, timed urine collection or other investigations may require different collection methods.

Visual Reading vs Urine Analyzer

Many multi-parameter urine strips are designed for visual interpretation, but compatible professional reagent strips may also be read using urine chemistry analyzers.

Visual Reading	Analyzer Reading
Operator compares colours	Analyzer measures reagent-pad reflectance
Useful for lower testing volumes	Useful for repeated laboratory workflows
Manual result recording	May support storage and printing
Lighting and operator perception can influence interpretation	Improves standardization of compatible strip reading

Microsidd's professional urine chemistry range includes the Mission U120 Urine Analyzer and Mission U500 Urine Analyzer.

Important: Do not assume that every urine reagent strip is compatible with every urine analyzer. Always confirm the exact strip configuration and analyzer model.

Common Causes of Misleading Urine Strip Results

Reagent-strip results can be affected before, during and after testing.

Potential sources of error include:

• Old or improperly stored urine specimens
• Contaminated specimen containers
• Expired reagent strips
• Moisture exposure
• Leaving the strip container open
• Touching reagent pads
• Incorrect immersion technique
• Failure to remove excess urine appropriately
• Incorrect reading times
• Poor lighting during visual interpretation
• Using the wrong colour chart

How Should Urine Test Strips Be Stored?

Urine reagent strips contain chemically reactive test areas and should be handled carefully.

• Keep strips in their original container.
• Close the container immediately after removing a strip.
• Protect from excessive moisture.
• Protect from excessive heat and direct sunlight.
• Do not touch the reagent areas.
• Do not transfer strips between containers.
• Follow the storage temperature stated by the manufacturer.
• Observe opened-container stability where applicable.
• Do not use after the stated expiry date.

Can One Abnormal Parameter Diagnose a Disease?

No.

A positive reagent-pad result is a screening finding, not automatically a diagnosis.

Results may need to be considered alongside:

• Symptoms
• Patient history
• Medication
• Diet
• Hydration
• Other urine parameters
• Blood investigations
• Microscopy
• Urine culture
• Clinical examination

Explore the Microsidd Urine Chemistry Range

Microsidd's Urine Chemistry collection includes focused reagent strips, multi-parameter urinalysis strips, professional analyzers, specimen containers and analyzer accessories.

Explore the Complete Urine Chemistry Collection →

For a broader introduction to urine testing:

Read the Urinalysis & Urine Test Strips Complete Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the 10 parameters on a urine test strip?

A common 10-parameter configuration includes leukocytes, nitrite, urobilinogen, protein, pH, blood, specific gravity, ketones, bilirubin and glucose.

What does LEU mean on a urine strip?

LEU stands for leukocytes. The reagent area screens for leukocyte-associated activity in the urine specimen.

What does NIT mean?

NIT stands for nitrite. Certain bacteria can convert urinary nitrate into nitrite.

What does URO mean?

URO stands for urobilinogen, a substance related to bilirubin metabolism.

What does PRO mean?

PRO stands for protein. The reagent area screens for protein present in urine.

What does BLO mean?

BLO is the blood reagent area, which screens for blood-related reactions in urine.

What does SG mean?

SG stands for specific gravity, which provides an estimate of urine concentration.

What does KET mean?

KET stands for ketones. Urinary ketones may occur when the body is using fat as an important energy source.

What does BIL mean?

BIL stands for bilirubin.

What does GLU mean?

GLU stands for glucose. Urine glucose testing screens for glucose excreted into the urine.

Do leukocytes and nitrite mean I have a UTI?

Not necessarily. These parameters can contribute to urinary tract screening, but they do not independently confirm infection.

Does urine protein mean kidney disease?

No. Protein can occur temporarily or persistently for different reasons. Repeated or unexpected findings should be evaluated appropriately.

Can a urine strip diagnose diabetes?

No. Urine glucose and ketone findings do not independently diagnose diabetes.

What is the difference between 2-parameter and 10-parameter urine strips?

A 2-parameter strip focuses on a specific pair such as glucose + protein or glucose + ketones. A 10-parameter strip provides broader routine urine chemistry screening.

Which 10-parameter urine strip does Microsidd sell?

Microsidd offers Microsidd URS10T and also carries Mission 10U.

Do I need an analyzer to read 10-parameter strips?

Not necessarily. Many strips are designed for visual colour-chart interpretation. Analyzer use requires a specifically compatible reagent-strip system.

Can the strip be reused?

No. Urine reagent strips are intended for single use only.

Medical Information Notice

This article is intended for general educational and product-selection information only and is not a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

Urine reagent strips are screening and monitoring aids. Results may be influenced by specimen collection, timing, storage, medication, diet, hydration, physiological factors and other clinical circumstances.

An abnormal reagent-pad result does not automatically identify the underlying cause.

Unexpected, persistent or clinically significant findings should be interpreted by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional and confirmed with additional laboratory or clinical investigations where necessary.

Do not begin, stop or modify medication, insulin, diet or other medical treatment solely on the basis of a urine reagent-strip result.

Always follow the Instructions for Use supplied with the exact reagent-strip product being used.