Difference between lab urine tests and instants?

whats the difference.. dont they both do the same things?

A urine sample that is tested in a Doc's office is only used to detect if you have an Urinary Tract Infection ( UTI ) or, to test for ketones and sugar ( for Diabetics). A lab urine sample can test for several different things, including any drugs ( but, you need to give your Doc permission to do this.A urine sample that is sent to the lab, is tested in-depth for UTI, urine culture and sensitivity. The culture, which will show what germ is causing the infection ( UTI), sensitivity testing will let the Doc know which antibiotic is best to treat the infection. The Doc will receive "preliminary" results to let him/her know that there is an infection. The sensitivity results take 3-5 days, this will let the Doc decide which antibiotic is best to treat you.I hope that this was useful.
Ruth

Lab show the numbers, like if you have thc it will show how much is in there. instants show either pos or neg.

not necessarily, the dip stick test is the basic urine test that does not give the breakdown of the findings.
the urinalysis is more thorough and actually gives the breakdown of the findings and is thus the better test to have if your having problems.
then: for different reasons/findings the dr.may want to do further testing on that particular urinalysis and do a culture to follow up on the suspected findings and that takes a couple days to grow and that way the dr. can put you on the proper antibiotic for whatever bug you have growing to nip it in the bud.