Posts by Nicholas Myers

Carl Ramos5 said:Can anyone help me make sense of these results:
H175,4
E78(triglycerides=3.0 mmol|L)
R74 (ALT=51 U|L)
M54
Thanks in advance.🙂

Hi there,

We aren't looking at lab values here; these are ICD diagnostic codes assigned by a physician.

To break it down: H175.4 indicates unilateral hearing loss, E78 refers to a lipid metabolism disorder (standard high cholesterol/fats), R74 points to elevated liver enzymes, and M54 signifies back pain.

Best regards. 🙂

Thomas Foster8 said:Thanks for the response. I just got back from my follow-up, and the dermatologist said everything looks pretty standard. Her main takeaway was that I need to watch what I eat—basically, stay away from anything greasy, acidic, sugary, spicy, or alcoholic. Everything I actually enjoy is now off the menu.

Exactly. The labs look fine. You were given those dietary restrictions because food can trigger skin flare-ups, not because your numbers are off. It's about management, not a bad diagnosis.

Best, 🙂

restlesstrucker15 said:I'm heading in this Monday to drop off a urine sample for cytology and a culture. I assume they need me off antibiotics for the culture to be accurate. I also have a kidney CT scheduled for the beginning of the month. Does a CT actually pick up inflammation, or is it just looking for stones and—God forbid—anything more serious?

Sure, a CT scan can be useful, but it isn't a magic bullet. It might not pinpoint the exact source of the bleeding, but you shouldn't skip it. It's a necessary step regardless.

Honestly, if things played out exactly how you described, all those tests should have been handled immediately through the ER the same day the bleeding started.

Post the results.

Good luck! 🙂

Thomas Foster8 said:I'm 37. My dermatologist ordered some blood work to check out a skin infection, and I've listed the specific results you highlighted below. Just a heads-up: the reference ranges are in mmol/L.
Thanks!

In that case, everything seems to be within the normal range. 🙂

crimsonpuma10 said:Does it actually mean anything if the IgG levels for a specific virus are elevated—say, 5, 6, or even 7 times above the positive reference range? :O

It depends on which virus we're talking about, but generally speaking? Not really.

Betty Booth45 said:First off, thanks for the response. Much appreciated.
Twenty-two weeks pregnant.
My last fever was around New Year’s—it lasted about a day and didn't break 100.4. Since then, though, I've been dealing with this nagging cough and constant nasal congestion. The blowing my nose part just won't quit. Other than that, I feel fine; no other symptoms to speak of. That’s why the lab results suggesting inflammation caught me off guard. There might be some localized issue in the sinus, but I’m really not keen on starting antibiotics, especially since the nasal swab came back clear.
The doctor prescribed klavocin, but I haven't started it. I decided to hold off because I followed my gynecologist's advice to monitor my CRP levels first. I had two separate tests ten days apart, and the results came back normal.

Dear
,
A nasal swab alone won't catch whatever might be lurking deep in the sinuses; you can't just take a clean swab result as a guarantee.

If you’re feeling otherwise fine, skipping the antibiotics seems like a sensible move to me.

Keep a close eye on those blood counts!

Best regards. 🙂

shadowbadger14 said:I’m hitting 50 this year, so my doctor started me on some preventative screenings. First stop was the lab, where I went yesterday. Since I don't really understand these numbers and won't see my physician until Monday, I'd appreciate someone explaining the results. Specifically, there are three items circled in red that are significantly above the normal range.

The image is at http://zaslike.com/files/e070yjtdtdk35kvex9vj.jpg

I didn't include the urinalysis because everything there is perfectly within the recommended limits.

Other details:
- 50 years old
- overweight; I enjoy good food and drinks
- high blood pressure (was 145/95 this morning
- taking 4 mg of Co-perineva once daily

Hello,

Your results show elevated liver enzyme levels. These are considered mildly elevated (for context, medical literature often classifies values up to 250 IU as mild, 250 to 1000 IU as moderate, and anything over 1000 IU as severe), so while it isn't an emergency or a cause for panic, you should definitely follow up with your primary care physician. They will likely suggest lifestyle adjustments first and then order a follow-up liver panel in about 4 to 6 weeks.

Results like these indicate some level of liver cell damage. However, based solely on these numbers, we can't pinpoint the exact cause.

Essentially, any liver condition involving moderate inflammation or cellular damage can lead to a slight rise in aminotransferases, as seen here.

It is possible that lifestyle factors—such as alcohol consumption, poor diet, and obesity—are responsible, though there are many potential causes for elevated liver enzymes.

If excessive alcohol intake or dietary habits are indeed the culprits, the numbers should improve once those habits are corrected.

Therefore, it would be wise to follow a "liver-friendly" diet (briefly: abstaining from alcohol, avoiding fatty, highly processed, fried, or sugary foods, and cutting back on soda), work on weight management, increase physical activity, and retest in 4 to 6 weeks.

If the levels remain altered after that, more extensive testing will be necessary to determine the underlying cause.

Karen Hall68 said:EBV VCA IGM NEGATIVE
EBV VCA IGG POSITIVE 144
EBV EA IGG NEGATIVE
EBNA IGG POSITIVE 127
CMV IGM NEGATIVE
CMV IGG POSITIVE 1.8

if someone could explain these results, I would be grateful
thanks!!

Hello,

I am unsure why these specific tests were ordered, but their interpretation suggests past infections with two viruses, EBV and CMV. This is quite common; nearly 90% of the American population carries antibodies for these by the time they reach adulthood.

If you’re dealing with any symptoms, they shouldn't be linked to either of these two viruses.

Betty Booth45 said:Hi, I just got bloodwork back during my pregnancy.
First set of results:
WBC 15.4 (ref up to 9.7)
Neutrophils 73% (ref up to 73%)
CRP wasn't tested

Second set of results (taken 5 days apart)
WBC 16.5 (ref up to 9.7)
Neutrophils 82% (ref up to 73%)
CRP 4.4 (ref < 5)
Note: toxic granulation found in some neutrophils

Urine culture, nasal swabs, and throat swabs all came back clear. Back in December, I had a cold or something similar. Fever hit 100.4, lowered once, and I had a cough for 2-3 weeks that’s mostly gone now. My nose is still running more than usual, though not as bad as before.
My primary care doctor wants me on antibiotics, but my OB/GYN insists it’s viral and will pass.

What else can I do?

Hello,

How far along are you?

A slight rise in white blood cell counts is standard during pregnancy—largely due to estrogen levels. In cases of preeclampsia, we usually see an increase in neutrophil percentages alongside a mild eosinophil rise. That said, infection markers in pregnancy are tricky; you have to look at existing symptoms and the CRP. If there's suspicion of an infection, a thorough patient history and a CRP test are necessary, which is what happened here.

The CRP appears to be within the normal range.

On the other hand, the neutrophil count has risen, and they noted the presence of toxic granules.

In a non-pregnant patient, those findings would immediately point toward a bacterial infection.

The catch is that this can also occur during a normal pregnancy.

Given how the numbers don't quite align—the discrepancy between the WBC, neutrophils, and CRP—I would prioritize the clinical picture. Essentially, look at your actual condition: how long did the fever last, does it keep coming back, and do you feel like you are generally improving or getting worse?

Also, did your primary care physician mention which specific antibiotic she was considering, or where she thinks the infection is actually located?

restlesstrucker15 said:Hey everyone, the kidney inflammation subforum died, so I'm moving here to ask about blood and urine results.
Back pain for a few weeks—thought it was just a bad lower back from this summer, muscle strain, swimming, etc.
Then five days ago, I start peeing blood. Literally. The pain is unbearable. Had to rush to my doctor, then an urgent care urologist, then back to the ER for another day.
The thing is, I don't have a fever (thankfully), the pain persists, the urine is less bloody now, and these are the values:

Urine: leukocytes 69
Erythrocytes 4463 !!!

Ultrasound and X-ray show no stones. The urologist says they don't know where the bleeding is coming from; I'm currently on double doses of antibiotics.
Is it possible to bleed this much without a fever or any stinging sensation?

Long story short—pardon the expression—I completely botched it. At the lab, they told me I forgot to bring the urine sample and only had blood there, and once I clarified it *was* the urine, total panic ensued.

Hello,

What is the current status?

Has a urine culture been performed in the meantime to justify taking "double" antibiotic doses?

An abdominal ultrasound or a standard abdominal X-ray (if that's what you mean by X-ray) might not necessarily detect stones within the urinary system.

In ambiguous cases, when imaging fails to find a visible cause for urotractal bleeding, one might perform urine cytology and, if necessary, a cystoscopy.

Brenda Ortiz10 said:Just to follow up, appetite is fine. Digestive issues consist of frequent diarrhea—not daily, but common, mostly at night. Waking up around 2-3 AM with cramps and pain. After the diarrhea, stomach issues kick in: burping, nausea, and abdominal pain doesn't stop after bowel movements. Stool tests for Hb, bacteria, and parasites came back normal.
Thanks for the reply.

A consultation with a gastroenterologist and further testing in that area would certainly be advisable.

electricangler32 said:Hi, I had this blood work done because of nasal congestion I've had for four days. Could someone help me interpret these results? I'm particularly concerned about the last one since it shows a slight deviation. I am 27 years old.

Prothrombin time
result 1.09 1
ref. range 0.70-1.30

Prothrombin time
result 10.98 s
ref. range 10.00-15.00

Prothrombin time-INR
result 0.96 INR
ref. range 0.90-1.20

Activated partial thromboplastin time 24.19 s
ref. range 25.00-33.00

Hello,

A shortened APTV can sometimes be part of what's known as an acute phase response—essentially the blood reacting to inflammation or injury. In those cases, it's usually temporary; once the underlying cause of the inflammation clears, the APTV values typically normalize. Another possibility is simply a technical issue during the draw, such as difficulty obtaining the sample. Pregnancy can also lead to a shortened APTV.

In my view, this looks like a negligible deviation. However, I can't say how an anesthesiologist would judge it, as that isn't my area of expertise.

Good luck.

Best regards. 🙂

Brenda Ortiz10 said:No, the labs were done ten days before my period started. I went to the doctor because I’ve been dealing with persistent digestive issues, weight loss, and this constant, crushing fatigue, so she ordered some blood work. My CBC came back normal, and my CRP levels are fine too. The only outlier is that my Republican Party levels are quite low, though I was told previously that those specific numbers don't really mean anything.
No pain during urination, and no burning sensation either.

What kind of digestive issues are we actually talking about here?

If those red blood cells show up again, you definitely need to repeat the urinalysis. If they persist, the next step should be performing urine sediment cytology three times. From there, it’s time to follow up with a urologist for a full workup.

Losing weight—how’s the appetite holding up? How are you handling meals?

Thomas Foster8 said:Respectfully,
Got my lab results back today. Here are the reference values.
The results came back. Everything is within the normal range.
WBC: 9.81 (Ref Range: 4.0 - 10.0)
RBC: 4.75 (Ref: 4.2 - 6.1)
Hb: 9.4 (Ref range: 6.8 - 11.2)
HCT: 0.45 (Range: 0.35 - 0.60)
MCV at 95.1. Within the standard range of 80 to 100.
MCHC is sitting at 32.0. The standard range ends at 31. It’s just a hair outside the lines.
MCHC: 20.85 (Ref range: 20.5 – 23.0)
RDW: 12.6 (Range: 12.5 – 16.5)
HDW is sitting at 1.54. The target range is 2.2 to 3.2. It's low.
MCHC - 22.6 (31.0 - 35.0)
CH - 34.5 ( --- )
Platelets: 307 (Ref Range: 130 - 400)
MPV: 7.6 (Range: 7.2 – 11.1)
My dermatologist asked for these results, but my appointment isn't scheduled for another two weeks. Since I’ll be fourteen years old by then, can anyone tell me if there's any actual reason to worry? Thanks.

To whom it may concern,

Double-check that you transcribed everything correctly—specifically the underlined and bolded sections from the lab results.

Hb stands for hemoglobin. It’s likely expressed in g/dL in the report, though those reference values in parentheses don't look quite right to me.

How old are you, and what was the reason for requesting this specific test?

Susan James77 said:Hey there.

I'm 25.

I'm a bit stuck on an AlT reading—it came back at 5, while the reference range is 10-36. Most of what I find online focuses on elevated levels, but apparently, a low reading can point toward a B6 deficiency. Is that actually a thing? It feels a little counterintuitive since I've been taking a B complex supplement for a while now. If that were the case, how significant would my deficiency even be?
If it matters, my MCHC is 347 (ref. 320-345) and my MTV is 11.5 (ref. 6.8-10.4).
Urinalysis shows white blood cell count at 3-4, while the reference range sits at 0-2. It's a slight elevation. Just a minor deviation from the norm.

So, can someone tell me if I actually have a reason to worry here?

The reason I started looking into this was my neurodermatitis. It’s been acting up like crazy over the last few months.

Thanks

Ma'am,

I wouldn't worry much about those AlT levels. Generally speaking, slightly low values don't carry any clinical significance.

The same goes for the other markers—MCHC and MTV. If your red blood cell parameters and platelet counts are within the normal range, there's likely nothing to cause concern there.

As for the urinalysis, it really comes down to whether you're actually experiencing any symptoms or discomfort.

quietfox384 said:What does a borderline positive IgM anticardiolipin antibody result imply?
The values are 12 (initial test) and 11 (repeat test); the report indicates anything above 10 is weakly positive.
I am seeing an immunologist in October. All other tests came back normal; this was just an incidental finding.

Hello,

What was the clinical reasoning behind running these specific tests?

Anticardiolipin antibodies are generally associated with blood clots in the vessels (both veins and arteries), pregnancy complications, or certain systemic autoimmune conditions, such as systemic lupus erythematosus.

However, these antibodies can also appear in perfectly healthy individuals (in roughly 4.6% of cases; source: Arnout J, Vermylen J. Current status and implications of autoimmune antiphospholipid antibodies in relation to thrombotic complications. J Thromb Haemostas 2003; 1:931–42).

Typically, we consider moderate or high levels of IgM or IgG antibodies—anything over 20 units—to be clinically significant.

It isn't entirely clear what it means when someone shows an elevated antibody titer without any actual symptoms—essentially, when it's just an incidental discovery during routine screening. Does such a person actually face an increased risk of thrombosis?

In your case, the antibodies are only weakly positive. The question is what weight to give this finding, and how it should be interpreted alongside your clinical symptoms and other lab results.

Best regards. 🙂

Brenda Ortiz10 said:If anyone could help me make sense of these urine results, I'd really appreciate it. I'm 34.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL URINALYSIS
Specific Gravity 1.020
pH 6
Protein 0.25
Glucose normal
Ketones neg
Urobilinogen normal
Bilirubin neg
RBC/Hemoglobin 50
Nitrites neg
Leukocyte Esterase neg

MICROSCOPIC SEDIMENT EXAMINATION
RBC 8-10
WBC 2-3
Squamous epithelial cells, bacteria, and mucus MODERATE

Ma'am,

The results indicate blood in the urine.

Were you on your period when you provided the sample?

What was the reason for testing?

Michelle Newman76 said:🤷The doctor mentioned that my total IgE levels were too low to suggest an allergic reaction. Still, she sent me for a skin prick test using my own serum, ordered anti-TPO antibody tests that weren't part of my initial blood work, and requested stool samples for parasites and bacteria. She also referred me to an immunologist.🤷

Hello,

Based on what you’ve shared, I think the dermatologist is partially correct in assuming allergies might not be the primary driver behind your symptoms—though not necessarily because of the IgE results, but for a different reason entirely.

It appears the dermatologist suspects chronic urticaria, specifically either chronic idiopathic urticaria or chronic autoimmune urticaria. In both scenarios, allergies—particularly food sensitivities—play a minimal role, even though chronic urticaria can occasionally be allergic in nature.

If her suspicion leans toward those two specific diagnoses, then yes, standard allergy testing won't offer much in terms of a treatment plan.

That said, I wouldn't say you can rule out allergies just by looking at total IgE levels. Recent medical literature suggests that even a "normal" IgE reading doesn't strictly exclude an allergy, just as elevated levels don't automatically confirm one.

Michelle Newman76 said:I'm 32. Generally healthy, but back in April 2013, I went to my doctor because of this unbearable itching that hasn't let up since. It hits me almost every single day, usually in the afternoons—mostly around my neck and chest, though it wanders elsewhere too. It’s a stinging, maddening kind of itch. Sometimes there's just redness, sometimes hives, and other times my skin looks perfectly normal. I was prescribed Xyzal and referred to a dermatologist.

Ma'am,

You listed a series of tests, and it's clear some pretty advanced diagnostics were performed. However, you didn't mention if allergy testing was conducted, what those results showed, or specifically how your dermatologist ruled out an allergic component with such certainty. Furthermore, your total IgE levels are elevated. 😕

Melissa Scott48 said:Can someone please explain these blood test results? I'm a 30-year-old woman.

My PV INR is 1.1, but the reference range is 2.0 to 3.5.
My PV is 0.79, while the reference is >0.70.

Thanks.

Ma'am,

The results look normal.

Those INR reference ranges are intended for patients on blood thinners. For anyone not taking those medications, an INR near 1.0 is exactly where you want to be.

Best regards. 🙂