Everything You Need to Know About At-Home Urine Testing
So much about our health is reflected in our urine. From liver and kidney functioning to our unique fertility patterns, there is a lot to learn about our bodies when we just take the time to test.

Thankfully, new urine testing products and technologies have made it easier than ever to test our urine from the comfort of our homes – empowering us to monitor and track a number of different health goals.
In this article, we’ll cover the different types of urine tests available; shedding light on what we can learn from our urine, practical tips for testing at home, and the many health benefits of regular testing.
What is a Urine Test?
A urine test is a type of medical test that involves analyzing a sample of urine.
Basic urine tests are often used as a tool to detect the presence of certain substances – for example, human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in pregnant individuals or glucose in individuals with high blood sugar.
More advanced urine tests, such as a urinalysis, are used by doctors to assess many different physical properties of urine and screen for more serious health conditions. A urine culture test can also be used to check for infection-causing bacteria.
What Does Our Urine Say About Our Health?
Our urine can reveal so much about our overall health. This is because urination plays a key role in releasing toxic substances and excess water from the body. And when something is not quite right with the body, this is often revealed in the urine.
Here are just a few common health events and conditions that can be screened for using a urine test:
- Dehydration
- Diabetes
- Fertile window and ovulation
- Infection
- Inflammation
- Ketoacidosis
- Kidney disease
- Kidney stones
- Liver failure
- Ovarian reserve
- Pregnancy
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
- Urinary tract infections (UTIs)
Urine tests can also be used to screen for the presence of illicit drugs, such as cocaine, opiates, methamphetamine, amphetamines, barbiturates, methadone, ecstasy, and oxycodone.
Types of Urine Testing Explained
Rapid tests
Rapid urine tests involve collecting a urine sample, testing it immediately, and receiving your results within a few minutes.
There are dozens of different types of rapid tests available depending on what aspect of your health you are testing for. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care lists the following as common substances that can be tested with a rapid test:
- Bilirubin
- Certain drugs and medications
- Certain hormones
- Ketone
- Nitrite
- pH value
- Protein
- Red blood cells
- Sugar
- Urobilinogen
- White blood cells
Rapid tests are used all the time in doctor’s offices and pharmacies to help healthcare professionals make decisions on treatment and next steps. They can also be purchased and used at home for general health monitoring purposes.
Urinalysis
A urinalysis is a more advanced form of urine testing that involves a lab technician conducting a visual exam, dipstick test, and microscopic exam.
In the visual exam, the lab technician will assess the color, concentration, and cloudiness of the urine. They will then use test strips to test for things like pH level and the presence of certain substances (similar to what can be tested with rapid tests). Then, the microscopic exam tests for the presence of creatinine, bacteria, urinary casts, crystals, and epithelial cells.
Unlike rapid tests which can provide your results in a matter of minutes, it may take several hours before your urinalysis results are ready.
Urine culture
A urine culture test is a type of test that checks for the presence of bacteria or yeast in the urine. It can also identify the specific type of bacteria in urine. The purpose of this test is to check for UTIs and determine the best treatment option for the type of bacteria present.
The key difference between a urine culture and a urinalysis is that a urine culture can identify the specific type of bacteria causing an infection, whereas a urinalysis can only check for indicators of infection (such as the presence of red and white blood cells).

Testing Your Urine at Home
Not all urine tests have to be conducted at a doctor’s office or lab.
In fact, thanks to the widespread use of the internet, increased health awareness, and advancements in smart technology, individuals have never been more empowered to monitor various aspects of their health through at-home urine testing.
Here are just a few examples to consider.
Ketones monitoring for diabetes management
Individuals with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which can be life-threatening. One way to spot-check the risk of DKA is by monitoring ketones in urine, which are produced when the body does not have enough glucose, or when it does not have sufficient insulin to use the glucose. This results in the production of ketones which can be measured in urine.
At-home ketone tests can indicate if you have no ketones, trace amounts, moderate levels, or large amounts. When tracked over time, this provides individuals with peace of mind and lets them know when they need to contact their doctor.
Protein levels for kidney health
Albumin and creatinine are two types of proteins found in urine, and their ratio (known as ACR) can help diagnose early signs of chronic kidney disease (CKD). By testing ACR regularly at home, at-risk patients can get treatment early on which improves long-term health outcomes.
Learn more about at-home ACR testing in this case study from the National Health Service in England.
Bilirubin levels for liver functioning
High levels of bilirubin in urine can indicate poor liver functioning. Individuals with an increased risk of liver disease can benefit from monitoring their bilirubin levels regularly at home, instead of waiting for their next checkup. Liver disease doesn’t often have any noticeable symptoms, so careful monitoring among at-risk individuals is vital for early detection and treatment.
Nitrites, leukocytes, and pH for UTI detection
Certain people (such as pregnant individuals and those who have recently had a kidney transplant) are at a greater risk of contracting UTIs. To keep an eye on urinary health, at-home urine tests can check pH levels along with the presence of nitrites and leukocytes. This can help individuals detect and seek treatment for a UTI before it becomes a more serious infection in the bladder or kidneys.
Ketosis tracking for weight loss
Ketosis is a metabolic state where the body burns fat, instead of glucose (blood sugar), as its source of energy. For individuals trying to lose weight, measuring ketosis can be helpful for determining if any dietary changes are needed to induce fat burning. This can be done with the help of “keto strips”, which were traditionally used by individuals with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes.
Hormone tracking for fertility and pregnancy
A number of key fertility hormones can be detected in urine. This includes luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol metabolite (E3G), progesterone metabolite (PdG), and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). When tracked over time through at-home urine testing, these hormones can provide insights into an individual’s fertile window, day of ovulation, and ovarian reserve – which is helpful for planning a pregnancy.
Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), the hormone that confirms pregnancy, can also be detected in urine. This is the hormone that a standard pregnancy test tests for.
Types of At-Home Urine Test Kits
Basic dipstick tests
Standard “dipstick tests” involve dipping a paper test strip into a urine sample. The results are then either displayed as a color or a line on the test strip, depending on the type of test that has been taken.
Tests with digital readers
Urine tests with digital readers typically involve dipping a paper test strip into a urine sample and then inserting it into a digital reader. The reader will then display the results. This type of test is common for pregnancy tests and ovulation predictor kits (OPKs).
Mail-in laboratory testing kits
Mail-in test kits involve collecting a urine sample into a container, securing the container, and then sending the sample off to a lab for analysis. The lab then typically emails or texts you your results within a few business days. This is commonly used when individuals want to test for a number of different substances at one time in order to see a fuller picture of their health.
Smartphone-compatible test strips
This type of test strip is similar to the classic dipstick test. However, instead of the individual interpreting the results, the results are scanned on a smartphone and then displayed on an app.
Smart testing devices
Smart testing devices, like the Mira Analyzer, involve collecting a urine sample with a testing wand and inserting it into the analyzer. The analyzer can then provide results digitally. In Mira’s case, hormone concentration results are displayed as a numerical value. Together with the Mira App, results can then be stored, tracked, and analyzed over time using advanced AI technology.
Learn more about Mira’s unique hormone testing technology by checking out the Mira Clarity Bundle, which tests for four different hormones (LH, E3G, PdG, and FSH) at once.
Quick Tips for Testing Your Urine at Home
Read and follow the instructions precisely
At-home urine tests can vary greatly depending on the brand and type of test. For the most accurate results, always take time to thoroughly read the instructions and follow the steps as precisely as possible. This can help to prevent confusion and will save money on wasted tests.
Make sure to collect a clean urine sample
To make sure that your urine sample is as clean as possible, always make sure to first wash your hands before collecting a sample. Then, depending on the directions of your test, you will likely be instructed to either take a “first-catch” or “midstream” sample. Once your sample is taken, make sure to seal, store, or place the container in the appropriate manner for testing. Finally, always wash your hands after providing a sample.
Track your results in a safe place
No matter what your goal is with urine testing, the best way to monitor your health over time is by keeping a detailed record of your results. This could be as simple as writing your results down in a journal, or, keeping track of them in an app. This enables you to spot patterns and know when you need to seek additional help from your healthcare provider.
Share your results with your doctor
Abnormal results that indicate a threat to your day-to-day health should always be shared immediately with your doctor for further assessment.
If your results are “normal”, there is no urgent need to contact your doctor. However, it’s still a good idea to let them know about your testing patterns when you speak with them at your regular checkup.
Benefits of Monitoring Your Urine Health at Home
The benefits of at-home urine tests are endless. Unlike routine or one-off tests at your doctor’s office, testing at home empowers you to take control of your health through regular tracking and monitoring.
In addition to being more cost-effective than having lab work done at your doctor’s office, at-home urine tests enable you to:
- Test more frequently to collect lots of data
- Test from the comfort and privacy of your own home
- Stay on top of chronic conditions
- Spot any changes or anomalies
- Track patterns that should be flagged for your doctor
- Detect potential health issues before they become a more serious problem
In the context of our own hormone testing and tracking products here at Mira, we see regular hormone monitoring as not just a way to achieve fertility goals, but as a way to reveal hormone patterns essential for understanding our general health and well-being.
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