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

Maria Fisher46 said:Given the symptoms you've described, your results really should be interpreted by a specialist hematologist.

When a patient reports spontaneous skin bleeding—essentially hemorrhagic diathesis where bruising occurs after even minor trauma—the first thought usually goes to platelet issues if we're looking at small, pinpoint spots, especially if there’s also mucosal bleeding (like nosebleeds). If larger bruises are forming, we have to consider coagulation disorders (coagulopathies). Then, of course, there's vascular damage (vasculopathies) to factor in; it's certainly not a simple equation.

So, while a low platelet count often causes these signs, yours actually fall within the normal range. Even when the platelet count is normal, their function can sometimes be impaired, which could still lead to spontaneous bleeding. But beyond platelets, as I mentioned, there are other potential underlying issues that your hematologist will need to investigate.

It is interesting that the hemostasis tests performed so far show normal values, aside from a very slight deviation in thrombin time (TT)—and regarding the fibrinolysis finding, I honestly can't tell if it sits within the reference range.

It seems to me—though a hematologist might have an entirely different perspective, which would be far more competent than my own!—that the tests you've completed might not provide the definitive answer regarding the cause of this tendency to bleed. This means that, likely (and according to a specialist's judgment!), further testing will be required to clear up the uncertainty.

Regarding your liver function markers, bilirubin is also slightly elevated, albeit just a little. Your liver enzymes are within the normal range, which is definitely a positive sign.

What happened with those MCV 0.145????????? and MCH 87???????? values? Did you perhaps transcribe them incorrectly from the report?! I ask because standard ranges for MCV are typically 86-100 fL, and MCH is usually 27-34 pg!

Since your symptoms and this inquiry go beyond my medical scope, I will leave it to the hematologist to assess the next steps. In short, further consultations with a hematologist will be necessary.

Best wishes and all the best to you. 😉

Thanks for the reply.
I transcribed it wrong
MCV is 87 (28-101)
MCH is 30.4 (30-35)

redpilot37 said:Thanks for the response... I will definitely double-check the urine in the lab. Actually, three weeks ago, when the urine culture was performed, my initial urinalysis showed:

cloudy
with proteins at 0.15 g/L (trace)
leukocyte esterase 70 (1+)
Leukocytes 7-8
plenty of squamous epithelial cells
some bacteria and amorphous urates...

...And then, after that, the urine culture came back sterile, yet during a routine checkup with my OB/GYN, the Test-trak Spec. showed 4+ leukocytes in my urine.
Then I had the CRP checked yesterday, which came back at 4.8...

Could you please tell me more based on these urine results? I read somewhere that leukocyte esterase indicates inflammation, essentially acting as a marker for it...
And one more question regarding the proteins at 0.15 g/L...
The urine sample wasn't my first morning void... so I'm wondering—isn't 0.15 g/L a bit high for urine that had been sitting in the bladder for an hour (since it wasn't the first thing in the morning)?
I also read that proteinuria is diagnosed if daily values exceed 0.15 g/L...
Additionally, my blood pressure was recorded at 130/90 one day... the next day it was normal at 110/70... but I was told to monitor it. What does all this suggest to you?

Thanks for the answer and the help.🙂

First off, I have to emphasize that I am not an OB/GYN, so please take my answers with a heavy grain of salt. You should discuss everything with your doctors, as they are the ones most qualified to handle your specific situation.

In my view, significant proteinuria during pregnancy is considered anything over 300 mg per 24 hours. A test strip measures concentration (like grams per liter). Note the distinction: one is mass, the other is concentration.

Generally speaking, finding small amounts of protein in urine during pregnancy is normal; a result labeled "trace" is considered standard. Higher levels of protein are marked with one to four crosses. Usually, a 1+ finding or higher suggests protein levels exceeding the norm.

When protein in the urine is paired with elevated blood pressure (above 140/90), it can point toward preeclampsia, which absolutely requires immediate medical oversight and monitoring.

Since your blood pressure readings haven't crossed that recommended threshold, nor have your protein levels, I think following your doctor's advice (monitoring your blood pressure) should be sufficient.

Regarding the urine findings, you've confused me slightly. If I understood correctly, you first had: "cloudy, proteins 0.15 g/L (trace), leukocyte esterase 70 (1+), Leukocytes 7-8, plenty of squamous epithelial cells, some bacteria and amorphous urates." After that, a urine culture was done and was sterile about three weeks ago. Then, two days ago, a test strip showed four crosses for leukocytes. Did I get that right?

I believe your OB/GYN acted correctly by requesting a urine culture after that initial result. To reiterate: a urine culture is far more reliable than a test strip!

Furthermore, your initial urinalysis ("cloudy, proteins 0.15 g/L (trace), leukocyte esterase 70 (1+), Leukocytes 7-8, plenty of squamous epithelial cells, some bacteria and amorphous urates") doesn't rule out contamination from vaginal secretions or skin contact. Honestly, that specific set of results doesn't look like a clear-cut urinary tract infection to me. The sterile culture result settles the matter.

The urine analysis just came back showing four plus leukocytes. It’s entirely possible this is just contamination again. I’d suggest repeating the test—start by doing it right at the clinic, whether it's with your OB/GYN or primary care physician.

Mind these specifics: you need to provide a first-morning sample. Ideally, there should be a gap of no less than 4 hours and no more than 8 hours since your last trip to the bathroom. Thoroughly clean the area with soap and water first. Make sure your hands are washed and clean during collection. Use your fingers to spread the labia, let the initial stream go, and then catch the rest continuously into a sterile cup. You want to avoid any urine touching your skin or the labia, and definitely don't touch the inside of the lid or the cup itself. Being 35 weeks pregnant, I realize this is a bit of a production, but try to be as precise as possible.

If the results come back clean, we're looking at contamination. However, if the next test shows elevated leukocytes or other markers suggesting inflammation, we'll need to run a urine culture.

A CRP of 4.8 mg/L doesn't tell us much regarding a lower urinary tract infection. That value could point to an infection, or it might not. It's inconclusive.

Look, I've stepped a bit outside my lane here. This is really all I can offer. For any specific concerns or deeper details, you'll get a far more competent answer from a specialist OB/GYN.

Best wishes to you and the baby. 👍

Nicole Edwards22 said:Here’s everything. If something is missing from the list, it wasn't on the report or they just left the field blank....

(...)

Even to a layman like me, nothing looks bad here 🙂, though my doctor did end up sticking a little bug in my ear...

Looking over these results, I don't see anything that should cause concern; it's a pretty clean report. I'd suggest following your doctor's lead—they have the full picture of your health.

If you're feeling fine, don't sweat these numbers. There's no reason to worry; the results are solid.

Best. 😉

Maria Fisher46 said:Looking at these results, I don't see anything that should cause you concern; they look pretty much normal to me. I would suggest following your doctor's instructions, as they have the best understanding of your overall health.

If you're feeling fine, there's probably no need to worry about this report since everything looks okay.

Best regards. 😉

Thank you so much for your time....
Best regards

Maria Fisher46 said:First things first, I’m not an OB/GYN, so take my input with a massive grain of salt. You absolutely need to discuss all of this with your doctors, since they’re the actual experts on your specific situation.

I consider significant proteinuria during pregnancy to be anything over 300 mg per 24 hours. A Test-trak Spec. measures concentration (like grams per liter). Just keep in mind those aren't the same thing—one is total mass, the other is concentration.

Generally speaking, finding tiny amounts of protein in urine is normal during pregnancy; a result labeled as "trace" is usually fine. Higher levels are marked with one to four crosses. Typically, seeing a 1+ or higher suggests there's more protein in the urine than what's considered normal.

If you have protein in your urine combined with high blood pressure (anything over 140/90), it could point toward preeclampsia. That definitely requires immediate medical attention and close monitoring.

Since your blood pressure hasn't hit those warning levels and neither has your protein count, I think just following your OB/GYN's advice—specifically regarding blood pressure monitoring—should be enough.

Regarding the urine results, you've got me a bit confused. If I'm reading this right, you first had a result showing: "cloudy, proteins at 0.15 g/L (trace), leukocyte esterase 70 (1+), leukocytes 7-8, plenty of squamous epithelial cells, some bacteria, and amorphous urates." After that, you did a urine culture which came back sterile, all about three weeks ago. But then, two days ago, the dipstick showed four crosses for leukocytes. Did I get that right?

It sounds like your doctor made the right call by ordering a urine culture after that initial result. Again, a urine culture is much more reliable than a quick dipstick test.

Furthermore, that first result ("cloudy, proteins at 0.15 g/L (trace), leukocyte esterase 70 (1+), leukocytes 7-8, plenty of squamous epithelial cells, some bacteria, and amorphous urates") doesn't rule out contamination from vaginal discharge or skin contact. Honestly, that specific pattern doesn't look like a typical UTI to me. The fact that the culture came back sterile pretty much settles that debate.

Now we're looking at this new result with the four crosses for leukocytes. It’s entirely possible this is just more contamination. Because of that, you should probably redo the analysis—maybe start by doing it at your OB/GYN's office or with your primary care doctor.

Try to be really careful with the details: use your first urine of the morning. Ideally, it should be collected between 4 and 8 hours after your last trip to the bathroom. Make sure to clean the area thoroughly with soap and water, and ensure your hands are washed and clean before you start. You'll need to spread the labia, catch the urine mid-stream into a sterile cup (don't let it run down your skin or fingers), and make sure you don't touch the inside of the lid or the cup itself. I know being 35 weeks pregnant makes this whole process a hassle, but try your best.

If the next test comes back clean, then it was likely just contamination. If the new test shows high leukocytes or other signs of inflammation again, then go ahead and get a urine culture done.

A CRP level of 4.8 mg/L doesn't tell us much regarding a lower urinary tract infection. Basically, you could have an infection with that number, or you might not. It’s inconclusive.

Look, I've gone a bit too deep into territory outside my specialty here. That's really all I can tell you. For any other specific questions or finer details, you'll get a much more competent answer from a specialist gynecologist.
👍 Best of luck to you and your baby.

Thanks so much for the clarification. Best regards.🙂

I need a little help here. I just got my nasal swab results back and it says Staphylococcus aureus is present in colonies. Can someone please explain what that actually means?

Also, another result shows my Immunoglobulin E is at 373.6, but it says the normal range is supposedly
<100.

If anyone could break this down for me, I’d really appreciate it. Thanks!

Could someone please give me a quick breakdown of my mother's test results that came in today?

DG/ Meta lymph interpectoralis (Rotteri) R. side
Status post segmental mastectomy of right axilla due to suspected carcinoma
Status post chemotherapy

OP/ Remove Rotteri lymph nodes

PHD/ Metastatic carcinoma in the lymph nodes

The patient was admitted to our unit for workup and surgical treatment regarding suspected metastatic changes in the interpectoral and axillary lymph nodes. Previous medical records are attached. Following an adequate diagnostic workup, surgery was performed on September 7, 2010, as noted above, and the following pathology was obtained. The postoperative course was normal.
Home care, with the instruction to report to the internal oncology and radiology departments at the City Cancer Center for evaluation and opinion regarding further oncological treatment. Surgical follow-up in 2 months, or sooner if necessary.

A tissue sample measuring 8.6 x 3.5 x 1 cm was received, of which the transverse striated muscle measures 6 x 3 x 1 cm; macroscopically, it looks normal. In the remaining tissue section, several confluent lymph nodes measuring 7-9 mm are visible; they appear white and fatty upon sectioning. Histologically, within the described lymph nodes, large clusters of atypical epithelial cells are seen breaking through the lymph node capsules and infiltrating the surrounding connective and fatty tissue.
A tissue sample measuring 9.5 x 4.5 x 1.7 cm was received, which histologically shows breast parenchyma ("tail" of the breast) with non-proliferative and proliferative fibrocystic disease along with several foci of lobular hyperplasia.

Kevin Hayes83 said:I need a little help here. I did a nasal swab and the results show Staphylococcus aureus in colonies. Can someone explain what this actually means?

Another result shows Immunoglobulin E at 373.6, though it says the normal range is supposedly
<100.

If anyone could clarify this, I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

Dear Kevin,

You didn't mention why the nasal swab was ordered for microbiological analysis—are you experiencing any symptoms?

It’s possible you are simply a carrier, meaning the Staphylococcus aureus bacteria have settled in your nasal passages. This isn't unusual. In fact, roughly 20%-40% of adults are asymptomatic carriers of S. aureus in the nose.

If you are generally healthy and aren't dealing with significant symptoms, like purulent nasal discharge or a cough, treatment usually isn't necessary.

Regarding the second part of your question: your total serum IgE concentration is elevated. As you noted, the standard level for adults is typically under 100 kIU/l. An elevated total IgE can suggest an allergic predisposition, a parasitic infection (though levels tend to be much higher then), or it could be elevated for no clear reason (idiopathic) or due to other underlying conditions.

Keep in mind that this specific result doesn't automatically mean you have atopy (an allergic tendency). To confirm such a diagnosis, additional testing and clinical symptoms would be required.

Best regards. 😉

Thanks, Felix the Cat, for the detailed reply. Basically, I’ve been having some vision issues—seeing floaters in my field of vision—so I sat down with my eye doctor and we decided to run some other tests just to rule out anything else causing this "glitch" in my sight, if that makes sense. Other than the eyes, I don't really have any other symptoms or issues going on...

One thing though, the nasal swab results explicitly say: Staphylococcus aureus - colonization question. What does "colonization question" actually mean?

Could someone please give me a quick rundown of what these results mean? I’ll just list the ones marked with an asterisk
AST - 13 (ref interval 14-37)
Urinalysis
PH 5.0 (ref. interval 5.0-8.0)
Proteins - negative (ref.interval 0.25)
Urine sediment
Leukocytes - 1-2 (ref.interval 0-5)
Epithelial cells 1-2 (ref. interval 0-5)
Lots of calcium oxalate crystals present
(Just as a bit of background, a few months ago I had my physical at a clinic in downtown Chicago, and they found a lot of rod-shaped bacteria in my urine. They suggested I get a urine culture done—since they don't handle those specific tests there, they told me I should head to my local family doctor instead—but I never actually followed through with it. So now, I'm sitting here wondering if it's actually necessary for me to go get that culture done now.)

Hey everyone!

My cholesterol was sitting at 5.6 and triglycerides were up at 4.9, so my doctor put me on 10 mg of Sortis. I’ve been taking it consistently for 3 months now.
Just got my latest blood work back and here’s the breakdown: cholesterol 3.97, triglycerides 2.3, HDL 0.92, LDL 2.16, AST 27, ALT 55, and gamma GT 123 !!!

Is that last number something I should be worried about?!
What’s my next move?

Hey there!
I was hoping to get some second opinions on this!

I'm a 24-year-old woman, and honestly, these results have me feeling pretty uneasy.
Cholesterol is up at 6.41
Fe-5
TIBC-47
K-3.80—my potassium is always a bit low, so this isn't any better...
MCHC- 352
Se- 4 (right at the bottom limit)

The cholesterol is what's really bugging me because I have no idea where it's coming from!?? I don't eat much fatty food, and I eat plenty of fruits and veggies...
Then there's the iron... a year ago it was down at 8, so I took Ferumlek for three months... then a few months back, it looked fine at 13, but now it's dropped fast again. I can't help but wonder what would've happened if I hadn't been taking supplements; it probably would've tanked way below zero. I'm in the middle of my cycle right now, so I didn't take the blood work immediately after my period. I try to eat everything high in iron—spinach, blueberries, red meat....

On top of that, I've been dealing with constipation for about 10 months now, plus some anxiety.
Does any of this point toward something serious?

Kevin Hayes83 said:Thanks, Felix the Cat, for such a thorough reply. Basically, I’m having vision issues—floaters in my vitreous—so I’ve been working with my ophthalmologist to run some other tests. We want to rule out whether something else in my system is "hitting" my eyes, if you know what I mean. Other than the eye stuff, I don't have any symptoms or health issues...

Just one thing: my nasal swab came back specifically stating Staphylococcus aureus—questioning colonization. What does "questioning colonization" actually imply?

I haven't had a chance to get back to you sooner; life got busy and I haven't been checking the forum. I assume you've already received an answer regarding what colonization means by now. Regardless, here is the breakdown:

Colonization simply means the bacteria has settled in—in this case, in the nose (usually just the entrance)—but its presence isn't accompanied by any actual symptoms or signs of illness. In those instances, antibiotics aren't prescribed. Trying to wipe out the bacteria often fails, and the treatment usually just ends up causing side effects or contributing to antibiotic resistance.

I don't know the specifics of your ophthalmology situation, but based on what you described, it sounds like your doctor is trying to rule out a systemic inflammatory source, which is why they ordered extra testing.

Since I don't have the full clinical picture, I can't say how your doctors will interpret this S. aureus finding—whether they'll decide treatment is necessary or not. That decision is ultimately in their hands.

Best of luck. 😉

Karen Stewart62 said:Could someone give me a quick breakdown of these results? I'll just list the ones marked with an asterisk
AST - 13 (ref interval 14-37)
Urinalysis
PH 5.0 (ref. interval 5.0-8.0)
Proteins - negative (ref.interval 0.25)
Urine sediment
Leukocytes - 1-2 (ref.interval 0-5)
Epithelial cells 1-2 (ref. interval 0-5)
Lots of calcium oxalate crystals
(By the way, a few months ago during my annual physical at a clinic in downtown Chicago, they found a lot of rod-shaped bacteria in my urine and told me to get a urine culture. Since they don't do those on-site, I'd need to go to my primary care doctor, but I never actually went to get it done. So now I'm not sure if there's any point in getting a culture now.)

Karen Stewart62,

Since I don't have the full picture—neither the complete blood work nor the urine panel—and I don't know why this was ordered (are you feeling unwell, or is this just a routine check?), I can only speak to what's here. Based on these specific numbers, there aren't any indicators of a urinary tract infection (no elevated leukocytes, no protein, no blood, etc.). Consequently, there isn't much reason to bother with a urine culture right now.

Everything hinges on the rest of the labs and whether you're experiencing symptoms typical of a UTI, like frequent or painful urination.

Regards. 😉

cosmicwolf16 said:Respects!

My cholesterol was at 5.6, triglycerides at 4.9, so I started taking 10 mg of Sortis. I’ve been on it consistently for 3 months now.
Just got my bloodwork back, and here are the numbers: cholesterol 3.97, triglycerides 2.3, HDL 0.92, LDL 2.16, AST 27, ALT 55, and gamma GT 123 !!!

Is that last one something to worry about?!
What should my next move be?

Dear cosmicwolf16,

It is a known fact that in a certain percentage of patients taking statins (the class of drugs that includes the Sortis you are using), there can be an elevation in serum transaminase levels—these are your liver enzymes, specifically AST, ALT, and GGT. This is generally thought to be due to enzyme induction, essentially increasing their activity level, rather than being a direct result of actual liver damage.

Typically, treatment should only be paused if those values spike to more than four times the upper limit of normal. You would wait for them to stabilize before attempting to resume.

Given that your elevations are relatively moderate and assuming you aren't experiencing any physical symptoms, I don't believe there is cause for alarm.

Moving forward, you will need to regularly monitor those transaminases (AST, ALT, GGT).

Be sure to consult with your primary care physician; they will make the final call on how to proceed.

Best regards. 👍

Sarah Mendoza61 said:Hi there!
I’d like someone’s opinion on this.

I'm a 24-year-old woman, and these results aren't exactly comforting.
Cholesterol is high - 6.41
Fe-5
TIBC-47
K-3.80. My potassium is always low, so this is just okay...
MCHC- 352
Se- 4 (lower limit)

The cholesterol is what worries me most because I honestly have no idea where it's coming from. I don't eat fatty foods; I eat plenty of fruits and vegetables...
And the iron... a year ago it was at 8, and back then I was taking Ferumlek for three months... a few months ago during testing, it was normal at 13, but now it has dropped rapidly. I wonder what would have happened if I hadn't been taking supplements—it probably would have plummeted below zero. I'm in the middle of my cycle, so I didn't have the blood drawn immediately after my period. I eat everything high in iron—spinach, blueberries, red meat...

On top of that, I've been dealing with constipation for 10 months and some anxiety!
Does any of this point to something serious?

Dear Matthew Wood15,

You've raised several points, so I'll try to address them individually.

Regarding your first concern, excess lipids (fats) in the blood can stem from genetic factors, but other variables play a role too. This includes diet (specifically high intake of saturated fats and cholesterol), alcohol consumption, weight, certain medications like oral contraceptives, hormonal fluctuations, or underlying conditions such as diabetes or hypothyroidism.

Your cholesterol levels are elevated, though you haven't mentioned your triglyceride levels. Generally, with a result like this, the first step should be lifestyle adjustments: increasing physical activity (at least 30 minutes daily), quitting smoking if applicable, managing weight, and regulating your diet. You might also need further testing—specifically determining your HDL and LDL levels. It will certainly be necessary to check your blood pressure, calculate your BMI, and assess cardiovascular risk factors. All of this will dictate the specific medical steps required.

As for the iron levels, it isn't enough to look at iron and TIBC/UIBC alone; you have to look at the full blood count (erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, etc.). We need to figure out why those iron levels are dipping. In your age group, anemia caused by iron deficiency can result from heavy menstrual cycles or other reproductive system issues, nutritional gaps, or even potential blood loss through the digestive tract. Your primary care physician definitely needs to pinpoint the cause of this steady decline in your iron levels.

So, as you can see, you really need to have a detailed discussion and a thorough examination with your doctor to decide on a course of action. That should be your next priority.

Wishing you all the best.

Best regards. 😉

Hello there! About a month ago, I was staying at a medical spa, and because my condition started getting worse, I ended up stopping my treatment. I just finally received my discharge papers along with my blood and urine results. Here is what the blood work shows:
SE:20
KKS:
Erc 4,80
Hb 138
Htc 0,412
MCV 86
MCH 28,8
MCHC 335
Lkc 7,3
DKS:
Seg 60
Ly 38
Mo 2

Trc 313
Kreatinin 62
GUK 5,0

Urinalysis results: cloudy appearance, WBC 8-12, some epithelial cells, amorphous crystals, and bacteria

Thanks in advance

Grace Smith said:It’s the same old story... this is really a question for a hematologist, which is such an incredibly narrow subspecialty that it is practically impossible to provide a real answer unless you actually are one. I will attempt to weigh in based on what I can gather from my textbooks.

From what I can gather—assuming I haven't completely misread the tests—it seems they ran this specifically to determine which type of Non-Hodgkin lymphoma we are looking at, given the suspicion of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Personally, I find those CD8 levels (cytotoxic lymphocytes) to be far too high, as are the NK cells...

In cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), you look for B-lymphocytes expressing markers like CD19, CD20, and CD23 (though CD22 can show up too), alongside the simultaneous expression of the CD5 marker; normally, CD5 is found on T-lymphocytes, but in CLL, it manifests on the B-lymphocytes...

Since your results show those specific markers on the B-lymphocytes (CD19, 20, and 22), I suspect that, based on those findings alone, one could actually substantiate a diagnosis of CLL.

The only thing giving me pause is the T-lymphocyte finding... and again, I must emphasize how difficult this is to answer without knowing the clinical suspicion that prompted the test in the first place. Those details are absolutely vital for interpreting any result, and since I am neither a hematologist nor an internist, but merely an enthusiastic student, I am essentially just feeling my way through the dark and offering mere hunches.

Please, feel free to jump in if anyone has further information or wishes to correct me, as I certainly had to consult several texts before putting this together.

I missed this response until now, and by then, I hadn't even had the chance to see how the original poster was doing, but I would kindly ask that people exercise much more caution when addressing such highly specific questions; please refrain from making any serious diagnoses based solely on laboratory reports.

I need some insight here! Bloodwork and biochemistry results:🙂cholesterol 6.48 H; HDL cholesterol 1.56; Triglycerides 2.27 H; LDL 3.89 H; Blood glucose 6.30; TIBC 44.19 L; Immunoglobulin E 203 H.
Hormones: TSH: 6.01; fT4: 15.2; fT3: 6.62.
Results from the thyroid department in Osijek: combined hyperlipidemia and suspected immunothyroiditis.
Can anyone break this down for me?

I totally blanked on mentioning the thyroid biopsy results: they found some mature colloid, superficial squamous cells, and a few thyrocytes. Basically, the takeaway is I need to stay under close watch because my anti-peroxidase antibody titers are running high. For now, I'm alternating my Euthyrox dose—one day it's 50mcg, the next day it's 75mcg daily.