Lab results - looking for opinions [PLEASE READ 1ST POST]

That makes much more sense now, thanks!😁

Maria Fisher46 said:This refers to a diagnosis under code Elevated transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels.

Basically, this means that someone's blood work showed high levels of what we call liver enzymes—specifically AST and ALT—or an elevated level of an enzyme known as LDH.

I imagine what you’re really wondering is why those numbers jumped in the first place, or if these results point toward a specific underlying condition.

Unfortunately, you can't really solve that puzzle with just this one piece of information. It’s like trying to figure out why a car is making a noise by only looking at the color of the paint. If you check out the instructions in the very first post of this thread and provide more context and data, someone here might be able to give you a better idea of what's going on.

Best regards. 🙂

Thanks so much for clearing that up. We have a pretty good handle on the rest of the details, but we were mainly curious about the specific wording used for the abdominal ultrasound referral.

I first started noticing health issues back in March 2011, right after having my first baby. My right wrist started swelling up and hurting like crazy. That hasn't let up to this day (it’s been over 19 months now). Since then, my fingers on both hands have started swelling and aching, along with my left wrist. I also deal with morning stiffness. About 8-10 months ago, I began feeling excruciating pain in my right heel after sitting for long periods or waking up. On top of that, about 6 months ago, white spots (depigmented patches) appeared around my fingernails, and they've spread slightly since then.
My GP initially suspected rheumatoid arthritis and sent me for testing. Since then, I've gone through a mountain of tests, but none of them have pointed toward a specific diagnosis. They haven't hinted at any particular disease at all.

First, I was referred to a physical therapist who ordered blood work. My sedimentation rate was high (35), my hemoglobin was low (116), and my hematocrit was low (0.337), though everything else was within normal limits. My CRP was elevated at 10.8. An X-ray of my wrist came back normal.
After that, the physical therapist referred me to a rheumatologist.
A week after that initial blood draw, I retested my CRP and it was still elevated (7), while ASL, WR, and Latex RF were all negative.
Two weeks after that, my Alpha 2 globulin came back high (10.5), while gamma globulin was low (13.8).
Six months later, my CRP, WR, ASL, and RF were all negative.
The rheumatologist then referred me to an orthopedic surgeon, who requested follow-up hand X-rays and a scintigraphy scan.

The scintigraphy results showed: Intense accumulation of the radioindicator in the carpal bones, almost all the small joints of the hands, the tarsus, certain small joints in both feet, and both knees.

Based on the X-ray, the orthopedist suggested shortening the metacarpal bone by 2.5 mm and reducing the ulnar tilt by about 5 degrees. However, before proceeding, he recommended a full rheumatological workup due to suspicions of a rheumatic or other autoimmune disorder, as well as tissue typing.
My ANA test was negative.

The HLA typing results are as follows:

LOCUS HLA-A 3 - 11
LOCUS HLA-Cw NT - NT
LOCUS HLA-B 35 - ND
Bw4👋6 NT - NT
LOCUS HLA-DR 1 - 11
DR 51;52;53 52 - ND
LOCUS HLA-DQ 1 - 3
LOCUS DRB1 NT - NT

NOTE: M16

So, if anyone knows what might be going on, Mr. Thank You—because I'm honestly at a loss for who else to turn to.

got a question too....

I'm 26. Current diagnosis: UCTD, Sjögren's syndrome, microcytic anemia
Basically, I've been dealing with this for about 4 years (maybe slightly less). It started out being diagnosed as reactive arthritis. Symptoms were stiffness and pain in all my major joints, plus small joints in my hands and feet (which also swelled up).
Back then, I was hospitalized at the Mayo Clinic. Results were:
SS-A 514 U/ml (negative < 100)
SS-B 541 U/ml (negative < 100)
IgG 33, IgM 25

Fast forward a year later, and things looked like this (hospitalized again):
SS-A 560 U/ml (negative < 100)
SS-B 620 U/ml (negative < 100)
histones 264
cardiolipins: IgG 38, IgM 56
ANA positive

Then last year, things started looking up:
SS-A/Ro 548 U/ml (negative < 100)
SS-B/La 454 U/ml (negative < 100)
cardiolipin screen negative
ANF 1:320

But today I got some new lab work, and I'm confused because they wrote them differently... I can't really tell if they're actually better than before or what...
SS-A/Ro (60 kDa) Au/ml 162 (negative <30)
SS-A/Ro (52 kDa) Au/ml 17 (negative <30)
SS-B/La Au/ml 100 (negative <30)

So, what I want to know is—how much better is this compared to the last set (if it even is better)?
would appreciate it if someone could make sense of this for me

I suppose I have a question as well... if anyone might be able to help me interpret these results. I've been running a fever and dealing with some swollen lymph nodes in my neck and behind my ear, so I went in for a CBC, and these were the findings:

Laboratory Hematology:
Erythrocytes - 4.55 (3.86-5.08)
Hemoglobin - 140 (119-157)
Hematocrit - 0.408 (0.356-0.470)
MCV - 89.5 (83-97.2)
MCH - 30.7 (27.4-33.9)
MCHC - 343 (320-345)
RDW - 12.1 (9-15)
Platelets - 377 (158-424)
MPV - 7.0 (6.8-10.4)
Leukocytes - 11.7 (3.4-9.7) elevated

Differential Blood Count:
Eosinophil granulocytes - 2.8 rel% (0-7)
Basophil granulocytes - 0.8 rel% (0-1)
Neutrophil granulocytes - 54.4 rel% (44-72)
Lymphocytes - 36.9 rel% (20-46)
Monocytes - 5.0 rel% (2-12)

Eosinophil granulocytes - 0.33 x10^9/L (0-0.43)
Basophil granulocytes - 0.09 x10^9/L (0-0.06) elevated
Neutrophil granulocytes - 6.36 x10^9/L (2.06-6.49)
Lymphocytes - 4.32 x10^9/L (1.19-3.35) elevated
Monocytes - 0.59 x10^9/L (0.12-0.84)

ESR - 7 mm/hr (4-24)

Clinical Biochemistry:
bilirubin - 5 mmol/L (3-20)
ALT - 16 U/L (10-36)
AST - 14 U/L (8-30)
GGT - 30 U/L (9-35)

I wonder if I should head to the doctor to ask about treatment, or if I can just try to rest through this? (I'm not really a fan of antibiotics, I guess...) Mr. Thank You in advance. 😁

Quote : Felix the Cat

Zachary Ramos68 said:...Do I actually need to bring this up with my doctor and start treatment, or can I just try to sleep it off? (And honestly, I’m really not a fan of antibiotics... :/ )Mr. Thank You 😁

If you ask me, you’re looking at two or three days of home care and that's that.

I had my cortisol levels checked about 20 days ago due to irregular cycles.

My ovarian hormones are abnormal; LH and FSH show an inverse relationship and are elevated. Testosterone, Androstenedione, and 17-OH progesterone were all high when tested on day 5 of my cycle, though everything else remains normal.

My cortisol level was 1047, while the standard reference range is approximately 180-670.

The test was a morning cortisol check, and prior to that, I smoked two cigarettes and had some juice.

My doctor informed me that fasting was not required.

I have since repeated both the morning and afternoon cortisol tests, and results should be available in about 15 days.

I have read online that cortisol can spike due to stress.
I am wondering if stress alone can cause such a significant elevation, even though I do not believe I have been under any intense pressure.

Betty Hall said:I had my cortisol checked about 20 days ago—my cycles have been all over the place, too.

My ovarian hormones aren't right either; LH and FSH are inverted and high, plus Testosterone, Androstenedione, and 17-OH progesterone were all elevated when tested on day 5 of my cycle. Everything else seems normal.

My cortisol came back at 1047, while the standard range is roughly 180 to 670.

I did the morning cortisol test, but before that, I’d smoked two cigarettes and had a little bit of juice...

Because my doctor told me I didn't need to be fasting!

So, I went ahead and repeated both the morning and afternoon cortisol tests. It should take about 15 days for the results to roll in.

I've been reading online that stress can cause cortisol to spike...
I'm wondering if stress alone can push it that high? Though, honestly, I don't feel like I've been under massive amounts of pressure.

Look, you really need to pin this down more precisely: you need serum cortisol at 8 AM and 4 PM, a 24-hour urine cortisol test, sodium and potassium levels in the serum, and you definitely need ACTH alongside that morning cortisol, not to mention glucose.

If things are still looking fuzzy, you'll need to do a dexamethasone suppression test.

If hypercortisolism actually shows up—then we're talking ultrasound and CT scans of the adrenal glands. And most likely, you'll end up needing a brain MRI too (if nothing turns up on the adrenals).

The next steps depend entirely on what those results show.

Just type "Cushing syndrome" into Google Cushing and see if you recognize any of the symptoms they list—you know, stuff like purple stretch marks, a buffalo hump, moon face, or hypertension...

And who knows? In the end, it might turn out to be nothing at all.

Would one of you be so kind as to explain these results to me?!
GLUCOSE 4.2
UREA 5.4
CREATININE 96
SODIUM 141
POTASSIUM 4.2
TOTAL bilirubin 10.6
AST 25
ALT 16
GGT 14
ALP 105
CK 112
CK-MB 20
LDH 692
Thank you🙂)

Susan Sanders59 said:The tissue HLA typing results are:

LOCUS HLA-A 3 - 11
LOCUS HLA-Cw NT - NT
LOCUS HLA-B 35 - ND
Bw4 : W6 NT - NT
LOCUS HLA-DR 1 - 11
DR 51;52;53 52 - ND
LOCUS HLA-DQ 1 - 3
LOCUS DRB1 NT - NT

NOTE: M16

So, if anyone knows, I would be very grateful, because I honestly don't know who else to turn to anymore.

Hello,

Your situation is quite complex. It exceeds my level of expertise, and I suspect others participating in this forum likely view it as equally complicated. That may explain why they haven't jumped in yet, or perhaps they simply missed the question and will respond later.

Interpreting HLA typing isn't straightforward. The field moves quickly with constant new discoveries; staying current requires specialized training. Since I am not a rheumatology-immunology specialist, I am not fully qualified to interpret these findings. Please treat this attempt at an explanation merely as a rough guide, and forgive any inaccuracies.

The core concept behind this testing is that certain HLA antigens appear more frequently in individuals with specific diseases than in healthy populations. Essentially, having certain antigens can be linked to a slightly higher risk for a particular condition. This does not mean that possessing the antigen guarantees disease. Similarly, one can develop a condition without having that specific antigen.

Regarding your specific results, I see you have HLA-DR1, which some studies link to rheumatoid arthritis, though primarily in Israelis and those from the Basque Country.

However, the HLA-DR4 antigen is much more strongly associated with rheumatoid arthritis, and that was not found in your case.

Furthermore, you have HLA-DR11, which some research associates with a marginally increased risk of autoimmune thyroid issues (Hashimoto’s thyroiditis), but even that isn't considered a definitive or highly significant correlation.

HLA-A3 carries a slight increase in risk for idiopathic hemochromatosis (iron overload).

My apologies in advance if I have overlooked anything or misinterpreted a detail. This is truly sub-specialty territory. Be sure to show these results to an immunologist and ask for their clinical interpretation.

Looking at your history, I see you've already consulted an immunologist, so I assume they are familiar with your case and the necessary steps to clarify your diagnosis.

In terms of ruling out rheumatoid arthritis, if it hasn't been done already, checking for anti-CCP antibodies would be a logical next step. These play a significant role in both diagnosing and predicting the course of rheumatoid arthritis, though they can sometimes appear in other types of erosive arthritis as well.

I invite other members to weigh in with their suggestions or insights if they are able.

Best regards. 🙂

velvetgull10 said:I just got my latest labs back today. I'm a bit confused because they’re formatted differently than before, so I can't really tell... if they're actually better or even if there's any improvement at all:
SS-A/Ro (60 kDa) Au/ml 162 (negative SS-A/Ro (52 kDa) Au/ml 17 (negative SS-B/La Au/ml 100 (negative
What I'm trying to figure out is—how much better is this compared to my last set (assuming it *is* better)?
I'd be grateful if someone could help me make sense of this.

Hello,

It looks like your most recent results are using entirely different units (so-called arbitrary units), which don't directly correlate with IU—International Units.

To my eye, the numbers look roughly similar to what you had a year ago. Perhaps they've improved by a tiny margin, but I could be wrong. This really needs to be evaluated by someone experienced in interpreting these specific types of assays who is familiar with how different testing methods and units compare.

Best regards. 🙂

Jonathan Rodriguez7 said:Would someone be kind enough to explain these results to me?
GLUCOSE 4.2
UREA 5.4
CREATININE 96
SODIUM 141
POTASSIUM 4.2
TOTAL BILIRUBIN 10.6
AST 25
ALT 16
gamma-GT 14
ALP 105
CK 112
CK-MB 20
LDH 692
Thanks🙂)

Hello,

Please review the instructions in the opening post of this thread before adding more detail to your query. Doing so might actually allow someone to interpret these findings for you.

Maria Fisher46 said:Listen, folks,

I am asking you to actually read the instructions in the very first post of this thread. Follow them! Supplement your inquiry accordingly, and then—and only then—might someone here actually be able to make sense of these lab results for you.

Because of general weakness and these vague, nagging pains in my left abdomen... bloodwork was ordered... though nobody bothered to explain what they were even looking for. I've been battling atopic dermatitis for several years now... but I don't see any connection between that and this current situation. I am just exhausted, completely drained of energy.

Maria Fisher46 said:One more thing I think would be really worth doing to rule out rheumatoid arthritis—if you haven't already—is checking for anti-CCP antibodies. They play a pretty significant role in both diagnosing and predicting the course of RA, though they can occasionally pop up in other types of erosive arthritis too.

I've already had the anti-CCP test done, and it came back negative... thank you all so much for helping me make sense of these results...
My doctors previously mentioned an enlarged thyroid, but since all my blood work was normal, everyone just kind of moved on from it... honestly, I don't even know who to turn to anymore... My rheumatologist is suggesting I get admitted to the Mayo Clinic for some intensive observation, but the only catch is the waitlist—it could be up to a year.

Thanks again.

Would one of you be so kind as to explain these results to me?!
GLUCOSE 4.2
UREA 5.4
CREATININE 96
SODIUM 141
POTASSIUM 4.2
TOTAL BILIRUBIN 10.6
AST 25
ALT 16
GGT 14
ALP 105
CK 112
CK-MB 20
LDH 692
Thanks)
Because of this crushing weakness and some vague pains in my left side... they ran a blood panel... but provided zero explanation as to what is actually going on. I've been battling atopic dermatitis for several years now... though I don't see any connection between that and this current state... I am just exhausted, completely drained of energy.

I need some advice—my due date is this Sunday, November 4th, and I just got my urine results back today. They’ve got me a bit worried... I don't have an appointment with my doctor until Friday, so if anyone can make sense of these abnormalities, please let me know:

Urine appearance: cloudy
Color: dark yellow
pH: 6.0 (5-9)
Specific gravity: >=1.030 (1.002-1.030)
Proteins: 0
Glucose: 0
Ketones: 0
Urobilinogen: 16.0 ( bilirubin: 0
Nitrites: 0
Erythrocytes/Hemoglobin: 0
Leukocyte esterase: approx 500 (0-10) 😲
Leukocytes: plenty (0-2)
Erythrocytes: 3-5 (0-2)
Mucus: some
Bacteria: many
Squamous epithelial cells: some
Small epithelial cells: a few

Thanks a lot!

Maria Fisher46 said:Hey there,

It looks like the latest results are using totally different units—basically arbitrary ones—that don't line up with standard international units.

Honestly, it seems pretty much the same as what you had a year ago, maybe a tiny bit better, but I could be wrong. You really need someone who actually knows how to read these things and deals with all these different testing methods and unit conversions to give a real opinion.

Best, 🙂

Mr. Thank You for the reply.... 🙂
Glad the numbers look a little better at least.

Michelle Hughes17 said:I really need some help here. My due date is this Sunday, November 4th, but I just got my urine test results back today and they’ve got me pretty worried... I don't have an appointment with my doctor until Friday, so if anyone could help me make sense of these irregularities:

Urine appearance: cloudy
Urine color: dark yellow
pH level: 6.0 (5-9)
Specific gravity: >=1.030 (1.002-1.030)
Proteins: 0
Glucose: 0
Ketones: 0
Urobilinogen: 16.0 ( bilirubin: 0
Nitrites: 0
Erythrocytes/Hemoglobin: 0
Leukocyte esterase: approx 500 (0-10)😲
Leukocytes: high (0-2)
Erythrocytes: 3-5 (0-2)
Mucus: some
Bacteria: many
Squamous epithelial cells: some
Small epithelial cells: a few

Thanks so much!

Don't panic.
Give your doctor's office a call right away and read the results to them over the phone.

You didn't mention why you had the test done in the first place—are you dealing with any urinary tract issues, pain, burning, or a fever?

The leukocytes and erythrocytes usually point toward inflammation, which could be a UTI or just something from the vaginal area.

Since you're so close to your due date, it's also possible that your mucus plug is starting to break down, which often brings a little blood with it.

When a result shows "many" bacteria, doctors typically run a follow-up test before jumping straight to a full culture.

swiftbear86 said:Don't panic.
Just call the doctor and read the results over the phone.

You didn't mention why you even had the urine test—any urinary tract issues, pain, burning, fever?

Leukocytes and erythrocytes usually point toward inflammation, a UTI, or something vaginal.

Since your appointment is coming up soon, it’s also possible you're seeing some discharge from a dissolving plug—that often shows up as blood.

When a report shows high bacteria counts, they usually just run the test again before jumping straight to a culture.

Thanks anyway!
I had the urine test because I used one of those dipsticks at the doctor's office and one of the colors turned pretty dark... though she wasn't sure if she'd even send me for more tests, since my appointment is so close and there isn't really time for a full course of treatment.😕

Michelle Hughes17 said:Thanks so much!
I just had some urine analysis done—you know, that quick test where the doctor dips the strip into the sample? One of the colors on the strip turned out pretty dark. The doctor wasn't entirely sure if she’d send me in for more follow-up tests or not, mostly because my appointment is coming up so soon and she's worried there won't be enough time to actually start any kind of treatment. 😕

Here’s a quick breakdown of what those urine dipstick results actually mean. It’s a lot easier to digest when you look at them one by one. Think of a dipstick test like a quick "status check" for your body's plumbing and filtration system. It doesn't give us the full story—it's more like a smoke detector; it tells us if there might be a fire, but we still need to call the fire department to find out exactly where it is. If you're looking at the strip, here is the gist of what those markers are hunting for: **Protein:** Normally, your kidneys act like a fine mesh strainer, keeping the good stuff in your blood and letting waste pass through. If protein shows up on the strip, it's like finding holes in that strainer. It could be nothing, or it could mean your kidneys are working a bit too hard. **Glucose:** This is basically sugar. In a perfect world, your body uses all its sugar for fuel, so none should be leaking into your urine. Finding glucose is often a red flag for how your body is handling insulin, similar to how a car might leak fuel if the engine isn't burning it efficiently. **Ketones:** These show up when your body starts burning fat for energy instead of carbs. It’s like your body switching from using gasoline to using diesel because the gas tank is empty. It can happen if you're fasting or on a strict diet, but it's something to watch if you're feeling under the weather. **Leukocytes & Nitrites:** This is the classic duo for checking for an infection. If these pop up, it’s like seeing a security alarm go off; it suggests some unwanted bacteria have moved into the system. **Blood:** Seeing blood on a strip doesn't always mean something is broken, but it's definitely a signal to pay attention. It can be caused by anything from a simple UTI to something more significant, like a kidney stone. **Bilirubin:** This one is more about your liver. If this shows up, it’s like a warning light on your dashboard suggesting the liver's processing plant might be struggling. **The Bottom Line:** Don't let a single positive marker freak you out. These tests are sensitive, and sometimes they catch "noise" rather than actual problems. If something looks off, it’s just a prompt to have a real conversation with your doctor at the Mayo Clinic to get the full picture. Always pair these results with how you're actually feeling.

http://www.vasdoktor.com/medicina-od...ina?format=pdf

I think you’ve still got plenty of time to get that urine culture done. If you drop off the sample tomorrow morning, you should have the results back by Friday.

Since bacterial infections can actually be passed down to the baby during delivery, it’s really important to figure out exactly which strain we're dealing with.

You should definitely give your gynecologist a call. I'm honestly not quite following their logic on why it would be "too late" to start therapy.
If you happen to have a gynecologist who’s actually going to be there to deliver your baby, go ahead and pick their brain. Get their take on everything.