Posts by Matthew Taylor17

Maria Fisher46 said:In that case, I’d suggest getting a retest for ketones, Bilirubin, and Urobilinogen.

Regarding those ketones—it’s entirely possible they’re showing up because you haven't eaten much lately. As for the Bilirubin, it might just be a false positive; a confirmatory test would be the smart move here.

I'm not sure which lab handled this or what specific methodology they used—every facility operates a bit differently—but in the lab where I work, our machines occasionally throw out a positive Bilirubin result that isn't actually there. We always double-check those manually, along with proteins, Urobilinogen, glucose, and nitrites. It’s quite possible the machine simply gave a false positive in your instance.
Given that the blood work came back normal, I honestly doubt the urine results are pointing to anything major...
And from what I understand, waiting on a urine culture usually takes about 2 to 3 days...

bluebadger12, looking at your urine sediment, is it just leukocytes and bacteria?

bluebadger12 said:Hey everyone!

I just got my blood and urine results back today—and honestly, I’m a bit of a massive hypochondriac, so my brain immediately jumps to the worst-case scenario where I’m suffering from something catastrophic. 🙂

My CBC came back completely fine—everything is within the normal range—but the urine analysis is what’s bothering me.

URINE SEDIMENT

Cloudy
Leukocytes: 20 (normal is 0-2)
Bacteria: many

All other findings were negative.

From what I've read, it looks like some kind of inflammation. I’m seeing my doctor tomorrow, but if anyone here has any insight into what this might be, I’d appreciate it. I don't have any major issues when I go, though I am feeling a slight ache down low near the bladder on the left side. I'm a 32-year-old male. Thanks for the help... 😕

Yeah, it’s definitely an infection... nothing to lose sleep over, though! Don't worry too much. 😉

Emily Hernandez67 said:Oops, I typed the wrong reference range for progesterone—in the luteal phase, it should actually be between 1 and 7, with a result of 27.0. It feels like my progesterone might be running a bit low, assuming that since I had my blood drawn on day 23 of my cycle, we are indeed looking at the luteal phase. 🙂

Yes, that would be the luteal phase... and if my memory serves me—though I certainly wouldn't bet the farm on it—the standard reference range for progesterone during the luteal phase typically sits somewhere between 5.3 and 86—though, as we all know, those numbers tend to shift depending on which lab you're using.
In most instances—and looking at your specific situation here—your progesterone levels seem to be running low; consequently, it is highly probable that your doctor will recommend some form of hormone therapy to get things back on track.

Emily Hernandez67 said:Hello, I'm 30 years old, and my gynecologist referred me for some hormone testing due to polycystic ovaries. Here are my results—could anyone tell me what you make of them or offer some advice?
Testosterone 1.20 nmol/L ref.int. 0.29-1.67
Prolactin 276.5 mIU/L ref.int. 102-496
LH 5.68 IU/L ref. int. follicular phase 2.4-12.6
mid-cycle 14.0-95.6
luteal phase 1.0-11.4
FSH 4.96 IU/L ref. int. follicular phase 3.5-12.5
mid-cycle 4.7-21.5
luteal phase 1.7-7.7
Estradiol 73.85 pmol/L ref. int. follicular phase 46-607
ovulation 315-1828
luteal phase 161-774

Progesterone 0.619 µg/L ref. int. follicular phase 0.2-1.5
mid-cycle 0.8-3.0
luteal phase 0.1-0.8

I had my progesterone blood work done on day 23 of my cycle, while the rest was done on day 4.
Thanks in advance for any help

Your results look perfectly normal!

Elizabeth Perez33 said:Leukocytes: 13.4
Platelets: 156

Look, those leukocyte levels aren't nearly high enough to be worrying about leukemia!
You mentioned your tonsils and lymph nodes are swollen—combined with those elevated leukocytes, it really points toward some kind of inflammation or infection!
Did they check your CRP at all?

And are you absolutely certain your hemoglobin is 12? Usually, we look for something in the 120 to 150 range, so 12 feels a bit low to me...

Kimberly Stewart89 said:Regarding my labs—CRP is fine, just totally normal. The main thing is this intense ovulation I'm experiencing. I went to see my gynecologist, and she described it as "devastating"—which sounds a bit dramatic, I know—but she did run an ultrasound on that lymph node we’ve been worried about. The doctor suggested the node might just be caught between some tendons, surrounded by a bit of localized inflammation... essentially, she wants us to keep a close eye on it. She mentioned there's a chance this whole surge from the ovulation is what actually caused the lymph node to flare up in the first place. Still, though—we're going to keep monitoring it.
For the most part, I don't have a temperature—I'm not exactly feeling under the weather or anything. 🤷

It shouldn't be anything dangerous—honestly, it’ll likely clear up soon enough. And please, don't fret too much about it; in these situations, it's often the painless lumps that you really need to watch out for, whereas the ones that actually hurt aren't usually the primary concern. 😉 Everything will turn out fine—you just have to keep a close eye on things regularly.

Kimberly Stewart89 said:Dear Sirs,
I have this lump in my groin—it popped up overnight and it’s quite painful. I went in for blood work, and everything seems fine, except for one specific marker called BASO that should ideally be between 0.0 and 1.0, but mine came back at 1.5.
Why does that specific part of the blood test matter?
Thank you.

BASO refers to basophils—those granular white blood cells—and they tend to spike during inflammatory responses (especially when dealing with allergies or asthma)... as for that lump in your groin, it’s most likely just a swollen lymph node. Lymph nodes, much like other parts of our immune system, tend to swell up whenever there's inflammation present.
Did they check your CRP? Is that level elevated?

Elizabeth Perez33 said:Hi there!

At the end of June, I went in for my routine kidney checkup—my left one was removed fifteen years ago due to a Wilms tumor.
My blood count looked okay, but my iron was at 6; I had all the iron-related tests done, and my Ferritin was 14.7.
In mid-July, I started taking Ferrum Lek. I finished a whole box (30 tablets, a month's worth), took a five-day break, and then had my blood drawn to check my Ferritin levels again.
Now, my Ferritin is sitting at 9.8! :/
Iron is still stuck at 6... Hemoglobin is 12.
And my Leukocytes are elevated.

I’m feeling exhausted. My hands and feet are always freezing. I’ve lost weight—just dropped it recently, and I keep losing more. I have broken capillaries on my thighs (I'm 17), and bruises just seem to pop up all over my body out of nowhere. My tonsils and lymph nodes are swollen, too. Plus, my stomach hurts quite often.

Some of these symptoms sound like they could point toward leukemia, but... is that actually a possibility?

My doctor is on vacation until September 1st, so if anyone can offer some insight before I see her...
Thanks!

What are your leukocyte and platelet counts?

slystag4 said:I’m guessing the move here is to cut back on carbohydrates and fats...

Exactly! And if you're carrying any extra weight, dropping that down would definitely be a wise move.

slystag4 said:Could someone please explain this, if you have the expertise to do so?🙂

Triglyceride 2.7 mmol/L (the recommendation is >1.7)

Cholesterol—both HDL and LDL—is within the normal range.

Is this a result that requires any actual intervention?

The triglycerides are elevated, and yes, that does require some sort of action! Usually, you see LDL climbing alongside those triglycerides while HDL drops off, so it would be wise to re-run the labs after a bit to see if there’s been any movement.
But regardless, something definitely needs to be done about those triglyceride levels!

analogorca33 said:Dear Doctor, please don't take my question the wrong way—I certainly didn't mean for it to sound like I was questioning your expertise or undermining your clinical judgment. I am fully aware that, as a layperson, I lack the necessary training to properly interpret such complex lab results or weigh in on the specifics of a prescribed therapy plan...

I wanted to touch upon my own situation—to be clear, I wasn't actually directed to get any testing by a doctor, but rather decided to run some labs privately just as a preventative measure—and now, for the most part, everything seems fine, with the exception of my urine results, which aren't exactly stellar... so, I have started using a herbal supplement that possesses antibacterial properties.

That is exactly why I decided to frame my question this way—because, in my experience, quite a few doctors will look at a lab result like mine, wave it off dismissively, and just tell you to go home and drink some herbal tea.

Thank you all for everything...

Given the sheer amount of bacteria present here, I highly doubt a simple "wave of the hand" is going to clear this up—it’s not that easy. You should probably stick with that herbal supplement for now, then, in about two weeks, head back to a private lab to get your results checked again.
I am not a doctor—just a Bacc. Med-Lab technician. 😉
Please, don't get me wrong—I certainly didn't mean anything by it. I wasn't trying to be difficult; my only intention was to express my opposition to people self-prescribing their own medication. In my view, it’s simply much safer to let a medical professional determine the appropriate course of treatment!
My advice? I’d suggest getting those tests repeated—maybe every couple of months—just so you can track whether things are actually shifting or if you're just spinning your wheels. It's all about seeing the trajectory.
lp

Every single one of those symptoms screams anemia—and I mean moderate to severe levels at that—so it’s honestly baffling to me how a doctor wouldn't be ordering follow-up labs immediately!!
In any case, when you're dealing with anemia, the Ferritin level is actually a much more critical metric than just looking at Iron. Think of it this way: Ferritin provides a snapshot of your current reserves, whereas Iron levels can remain stagnant for quite some time, masking the true situation...

Maria Alvarez81 said:Help... I went in for blood work on August 2nd—I showed up at the local clinic at 7:00 AM, fasting, obviously, because I needed to check my iron levels. By the afternoon, my results weren't ready, so I swung by the lab only to be told they couldn't actually detect any iron; apparently, the machine just wouldn't register such a tiny amount. So, around 2:00 PM, they drew my blood again to run a full CBC. The blood count itself looked fine, but that iron column? Completely blank. They said they basically gave up because the results were coming back inconclusive every single time... honestly, I’ve never heard of anything like that. Then I go to see the doctor, and he just looks at me and asks, "So... what do we do now?" I'm standing there looking pale as a ghost, and he starts rambling about how I should probably start eating more beets... blah, blah, blah. Now what? Am I supposed to go back and get poked with a needle all over again? To make matters worse, I know I have ongoing issues with my iron levels...🤷

Yes, it’s quite obvious that you’re dealing with some iron issues... though I imagine if your levels are truly that depleted, you must be feeling some pretty nasty symptoms by now. If your iron is actually that low, honestly, a little bit of spinach isn't going to do much to move the needle—not enough to make a real dent in the deficit.
So, you're looking at the numbers—the whole spread of the blood work, I assume. You've got the Ferritin, the UIBC, the TIBC, plus the hemoglobin, hematocrit, erythrocytes, and those specific indices like MCV, MCH, and MCHC. It’s a lot of data points to throw at someone all at once—sort of like staring at a complex weather map when you just wanted to know if you needed an umbrella. Each one tells a slightly different part of the story regarding how your body is managing its iron stores and overall red blood cell health. It isn't just about one single number; it's about how they all dance together.

analogorca33 said:You mentioned that the results point toward a urinary tract infection—but since I’m not actually feeling any symptoms or experiencing any discomfort, I haven't made a trip to my doctor yet to discuss potential medication. Instead, I’ve just been taking CITROFIT—I'm hoping that might be enough to handle it...

Thanks.

No, it simply isn't enough! Regardless of whether you’re actually feeling symptoms or just sitting there guessing—you absolutely must take those test results to a doctor. They are the ones equipped to either prescribe a proper course of treatment or send you off for more specialized testing if things look off. Honestly, trying to manage your own medication without professional guidance is nothing short of foolishness.

Keith Long50 said:I understand, but I stopped because my hemoglobin levels had stabilized.
Now, all that’s left is to get through the tests—once I've finally recovered from the surgery.🙂
Thanks for everything, take care.

And when did the surgery happen? What was it for?
Fatigue can definitely be a side effect of surgery—the body simply needs a window of time to recover.

Keith Long50 said:I am just exhausted—I feel like I could sleep all day long.

A few months back, my iron levels were pretty low, so my doctor put me on some supplements. I took them maybe two or three times, and then during the next check-up, my level was at 7.6.
Also, according to my EKG, my heart rate is a bit slow—around 51 beats per minute, if I read that correctly—but then again, I’m not exactly an athlete.
I’m 17 years old.

I’m wondering how much this combination—low blood iron (not massive, but around 8) and a slower heart rate—contributes to this fatigue. I had planned to get some studying done over the break, but right now, I find myself staring at the same page for half an hour without absorbing a single word.

I should also mention that my hemoglobin is normal (MCV, MCH, MCHC, etc.), as are my erythrocytes.

Did they have you wear a Holter monitor? Send you for an exercise stress test? Run any liver or kidney panels? Check your electrolytes or thyroid hormones?
It is entirely possible that the fatigue is stemming from both the iron deficiency (standard reference ranges for men usually start around 10, so 7.6 is still quite low) and that slow heart rate. Fatigue is a common symptom for both issues. Are you experiencing anything else—paleness, dizziness, general weakness, or perhaps brittle nails?
I don't know exactly which tests you've already undergone, but you definitely need a comprehensive workup!

analogorca33 said:I don't have any pain—honestly, I’m not even experiencing any symptoms—so I am completely at a loss here.🤷

Well, in principle, it shouldn't be causing you any real pain—it’s likely just some mild inflammation, nothing to lose sleep over. Your leukocyte count is actually quite low (even a level of 5 is generally tolerated), and the only real standout is the high bacteria count, which points toward an infection. As for those amorphous phosphates? They don't really have any clinical significance.
Squamous epithelium—it’s one of those terms that sounds far more alarming than it actually is when you see it on a lab report. In reality, finding small amounts of it is perfectly normal; it's just a common occurrence during testing.
Honestly, that doesn't carry any actual diagnostic weight—it’s essentially just noise.
Well, now—either she was actually infected, or the urine sample was simply mishandled from the start. It’s all so incredibly fickle. Perhaps there was no prior trip to the bathroom to clear the way, or they failed to catch that crucial midstream flow. Then again, maybe they used a non-sterile cup, or—more likely in these bureaucratic delays—the specimen sat sitting in the lab far too long before anyone bothered to analyze it, giving those pesky bacteria plenty of time to throw a little party and multiply.
For the most part, there really isn't any reason to worry—honestly, it’s nothing to get worked up about. 😉

analogorca33 said:To whom it may concern,
I just received my urinalysis results and was hoping for some clarification and commentary regarding the following:

Urinalysis findings:

Leukocytes: 25 /μl; + ref. interval: neg.
pH: 9.0 ref. interval: 5.0-9.0
Glucose: normal ref. interval: neg.

Urine Sediment:

Erythrocytes: / ref. interval: 0-2
Leukocytes: 2-3 ref. interval: 0-2
Casts: /
Crystals: /
Cells: 1-2 squamous epithelial cells
significant bacteria
significant mucus
some amorphous phosphate crystals

Thank you in advance for interpreting these results.🙂

Urinary tract infection

Kate Watson23 said:Dear Sir/Madam,

I recently had some blood work done—specifically a lipid panel—and under the Lipids and lipoproteins section, I have the following results:

Total cholesterol: 3.5 mmol/L (recommended HDL cholesterol: 1.0 mmol/L (recommended >1.2)
LDL cholesterol: 1.8 mmol/L (recommended up to 3)
Triglycerides: 1.7 mmol/L (up to 1.7)

How concerning is this? From what I can gather, my "good" cholesterol is low, and my triglycerides are right on the edge. There is a significant history of cardiovascular disease in my family, so I am wondering if I fall into a high-risk category. I am 25 years old.

It isn't anything to worry about just yet! Just make sure you stay on top of regular check-ups, especially since you have that genetic predisposition!

Grace Smith said:When you’re looking at an initial infection, you check the IgM—which is elevated during that early stage, unlike the IgG. These are measured during the acute phase of the illness, so definitely not more than five days after symptoms appear. After that, we look at the IgG, which essentially serves as an indicator that your body has begun to "suppress" the virus. From there, you monitor the ratio between IgM and IgG; generally, the higher the IgG and the lower the IgM, the better. In your case, your IgG levels are rising, and based on the report, everything looks perfectly fine. Honestly, I have no idea exactly how long it will take for the virus to clear completely. You should really ask a serologist or the specialist who ordered these tests—they can give you a much more precise answer since they are intimately familiar with your specific situation.

And no, once the IgG levels have risen sufficiently—which they already have for you—there shouldn't be any recurring issues. 🙂

EDIT — I’m not quite sure what you mean by "negative parameters," because quite the contrary, having a positive IgG is actually the desired outcome in these scenarios. IgG is the antibody your own immune system produces in response to an infection, and at this stage, it is highly beneficial for those levels to be high—which, as I mentioned, is exactly what is happening with you. 🙂

Feel free to correct me if I missed anything. I am still a student. 🙂

No need to supplement her! 🙂 Everything has been said!
My professor during my virology exam told us they are always happy when they see positive IgG on a lab report! 🙂 That means antibodies are present and that the virus won't be able to attack you anymore!