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

Nicholas Myers - I was hoping for some insight regarding my blood iron levels. After battling iron deficiencies all last year due to fibroids and irregular bleeding, things finally stabilized following surgery. I’ve been staying consistent with my iron supplements, but my latest labs show Iron 9 and Ferritin 43. In your professional opinion, does this look like a healthy baseline, or am I looking at another long course of iron tablets?
Thanks in advance 🙂

mellowviper24 said:What does a urine test result actually mean?
Leukocytes 1-3, Erythrocytes 0-2, epithelial cells 0-2, mucus plenty...
Could this be due to Ureaplasma?

To whom it may concern,

Since you didn't include the full urinalysis or mention what specific symptoms your boyfriend was dealing with, it's hard to be definitive. However, based strictly on what you've shared, this doesn't look like a classic urinary tract infection caused by standard bacteria. In fact, looking at these results, everything appears to be practically normal.

If your boyfriend is dealing with any issues related to urination, he really ought to get a urine culture with an antibiogram done.

Regarding the second part of your question: you can't diagnose mycoplasma, ureaplasma, or chlamydia just by looking at urine sediment. You need specific, targeted testing for those. Usually, this requires a urethral swab, but since that’s pretty uncomfortable, there are options to test via ejaculate or urine instead. Your boyfriend should definitely run this by his doctor.

Bottom line: he needs to talk to his doctor. If he’s dealing with any urinary issues, he should get a urine culture done. He also ought to bring up the possibility of Mycoplasma, Ureaplasma, or Chlamydia with his physician and discuss the best way to test for them.

Greetings. 🙂

mellowviper24 said:Felix the Cat I'm looking for some insight regarding my iron levels. After dealing with iron issues all last year due to fibroids and irregular bleeding, things finally stabilized after surgery. I’ve been staying on top of my iron supplements, but my latest labs show Iron 9 and Ferritin 43. Does this look like a normal result to you, or am I looking at another course of iron tablets?
Thanks in advance. 🙂

To whom it may concern,

We might need to stick with the iron therapy, but I can't say for sure without seeing some more data.

Is ferritin measured in µg/L and iron in µmol/L? Also, what are the standard reference ranges for ferritin? I'm asking because I've noticed these numbers seem to fluctuate depending on which lab you use.

What were the hemoglobin, Erythrocyte, UIBC, and TIBC levels on the last lab report?

3. What were your hemoglobin and erythrocyte levels at the start of treatment? I’m looking for that last lab result right before you began taking iron, or simply your lowest recorded hemoglobin/erythrocyte numbers.

4. When did you all start taking iron? Give me a date—or even just the month.

5. Around what date—or at least which month—did your hemoglobin levels first normalize? I'm looking for when it hit 120 g/L or higher. I assume you were keeping an eye on your blood work while on the iron treatment.

If you can answer these questions—especially that last one—I'll be able to give you a much more precise response.

Typically, you need to keep up with iron supplements for about three to six months after your blood work finally stabilizes just to replenish those internal stores. If we're looking at more severe cases where it takes up to four months just to get the blood count back to normal, you’re looking at a total therapy timeline that can stretch to a full year.

Ideally, we’d like to see your Ferritin climb to about 50 µg/L—or even higher—and you're actually sitting quite close to that mark. That’s why getting answers to those questions I mentioned above would be incredibly helpful.

One more thing: I'm assuming you haven't taken any iron supplements for at least 24 hours prior to your testing. It's important for the accuracy.

Dear Felix the Cat,

I am following up with the answers to your questions and wanted to thank you again for all your help:

1. Are the ferritin levels measured in µg/L and iron in µmol/L, and what are the standard reference ranges for ferritin? (I ask because I know they can vary from one lab to another.)

The reference range for ferritin is 13-150, while iron falls between 8-30.

2. What were my hemoglobin, erythrocyte, UIBC, and TIBC levels in my last report?

For this latest check, I only had my iron and ferritin tested, which came back as Iron 9 and Ferritin 43.
Previously, I had bloodwork done four months after finishing three boxes of Kendural C (50 tablets per box). After taking a two-week break, the results showed hemoglobin at 132, iron at 21, and ferritin at 12, with everything else within the normal range.
I was honestly expecting better iron numbers, even though my reserves seemed to have replenished significantly. It was a bit baffling to see the iron level drop so drastically, and I would appreciate your perspective on that.

3. What were my hemoglobin and erythrocyte counts when I first started treatment (either the very last reading before starting iron supplements or the lowest recorded values)?

Back on September 1, 2010, my iron was 1.7 and my hemoglobin was 80.

4. When exactly did you start taking iron supplements (which date or at least which month)?

I started Heferol on September 2, 2010, but it didn't seem to agree with me. On October 15, I switched to Kendural C, which helped immensely; it gave me enough strength to undergo surgery for fibroids, and I continued those tablets for another three months post-op.

5. When did my hemoglobin levels first normalize—meaning, when did it first hit 120 g/L or higher? (I assume you were monitoring your blood counts during the iron treatment.)

While I was on Kendural C toward the end of November, just before my fibroid surgery, my hemoglobin reached 125. Following the surgery, it dipped down to 112.

I hope this covers everything you needed to know. Thank you once again for your guidance.

Nico

mellowviper24 said:Dear Nicholas Myers,

Following up with the answers to your questions. Thanks for the help:

(...)

I hope I managed to cover everything. Thanks again for all the help.

Nico

To whom it may concern,

Perhaps you should have continued the iron supplements for six months following the surgery, paired with regular blood work. You lost blood during the procedure, and with that loss comes a drop in iron levels. Consequently, you were facing an iron deficiency again once the operation was over. You mentioned only taking iron for three months after the procedure, which clearly wasn't enough in your case. Normally, a three-month course might suffice, but it seems like your body just takes longer to respond to the therapy.

Back in April, my Ferritin was at 12 µg/L. That’s a clear sign of depleted iron stores. It essentially points to latent iron deficiency—the first stage where your serum iron looks normal on paper, but your actual reserves are bottoming out. Basically, by April, the tank was empty.

Based on what you've said, I'm not entirely clear on the timeline. Since that April test showed your Ferritin at 12 µg/L, have you actually taken any more iron supplements, or have you been avoiding them altogether since then?

If you haven't started the iron supplements yet, the current numbers aren't actually as bad as they look at first glance. Still, there’s definitely room for improvement. We really need to see that Ferritin level climb above 50 µg/L before we can call this treatment a success. It looks like you're getting close, though.

While you might be feeling a bit discouraged by your serum iron levels, it's worth noting that these numbers fluctuate quite a bit based on various factors. If we rely solely on serum iron as our compass, there is a real risk of misjudging the actual iron status within the body.

Deciding whether to continue therapy isn't a straightforward calculation. Strictly speaking, the Ferritin levels fall within the normal range, and while Iron levels are hovering near the lower limit, they aren't bottoming out. We haven't run a hemoglobin test recently, but looking back at the results from April, there was no sign of anemia. Is it justifiable to take iron supplements just to stay ahead of a deficiency—essentially acting prophylactically? That’s where the debate lies. Some might argue it's unnecessary unless you're pregnant or still dealing with heavy menstrual cycles. It's worth discussing.

Iron deficiency in the body is predictable under certain conditions. If you've resolved any iron loss—like heavy bleeding—and your diet is solid, your digestive system is functioning normally, and there aren't increased physiological demands like pregnancy or breastfeeding, then your levels shouldn't be dropping again. It’s basic math.

If you haven't been taking any iron supplements since that April lab result showed a ferritin level of 12 µg/L, and now it’s up to 43 µg/L—and assuming there's no heavy bleeding, your digestive system is functioning normally, your diet is on track, and you aren't pregnant or breastfeeding—I don't see much point in continuing therapy. At this stage, it’s just about monitoring and maintaining good nutrition. If you didn't feel the need for treatment when your ferritin was sitting at 12 µg/L, why start now that it has reached 43 µg/L?

This assumes everything has been thoroughly worked out—that the cause of the anemia was pinpointed and finally dealt with.

The follow-up should happen in three months—unless symptoms or signs of anemia resurface sooner. At that point, alongside checking Iron and Ferritin levels, you'll need a full blood count plus TIBC and UIBC. It’s the only way to get the complete picture regarding your iron status.

If your next checkup shows things are trending downward, we’ll need to dig deep to figure out why. We'd have to track down exactly where that iron is leaking out—which means a thorough investigation.

Ultimately, this is just my take. I don't have the full picture of your health, your diet, or any medications you might be taking. Before making any moves, please sit down with your doctors and follow their lead; their advice will naturally take much more into account than my input here.

Best regards. 🙂

@ Nicholas Myers Thank you so much for such a thorough response. Regarding the points we haven't touched upon yet, I just wanted to mention that after my results came back in April showing a Ferritin level of 12, I took an additional dose of iron; since then, the latest report shows it has risen to 43. It seems the iron supplements were indeed effective at building up those reserves.

I have never really struggled with my iron levels before; they always seemed to hover steadily around 15 or 16, much like a predictable tide, but now things feel different.
My hemoglobin levels consistently stay above 122, as I have my blood checked twice a year during routine checkups due to my asthma. The drop in iron and the resulting anemia were solely caused by heavy bleeding from a submucosal fibroid, which was successfully surgically removed back in November; that was the only factor at play here, and there are no other underlying causes.
Regarding my medication regimen, I rely on Seretide to manage my asthma, and I take Zoloft to navigate the anxiety stemming from my fear of surgery and the general decline in my health last autumn.

I am not entirely certain if I have addressed all your questions or managed to paint a sufficiently clear picture of my current situation. Should I decide to proceed with an additional dose, what kind of side effects might I anticipate? Furthermore, do you believe this would ultimately prove to be a sound decision? Regardless, I fully intend to consult with my doctor once I return from vacation, but I would truly value hearing your final thoughts on the matter.

I would like to express my gratitude once again for the professional guidance provided. 🙂

I’ve been struggling with my platelet count and blood levels since I was five months pregnant, and I’m reaching out to see if anyone here has dealt with something similar. If you have, I would be incredibly grateful for any insight. Back in my fifth month, my blood work came back looking absolutely catastrophic—my platelets were down to 65 and my hemoglobin was at 2.2. I rushed straight to the hospital, where they ran every test imaginable. They told me I had anemia and warned that my platelets could drop even further; apparently, if they hit 20,000, they have to intervene. They even performed a bone marrow biopsy near my lung, but they couldn't find a definitive cause. They told me they’d investigate more thoroughly after the pregnancy. Throughout the entire pregnancy, I was getting blood transfusions every single week because my platelet counts just kept sliding lower and lower. I actually ended up delivering three weeks early because my platelets hit 23. A month and a half after delivery, I received 2 liters of blood and 1 liter of platelets. My count jumped to 55, but then within two days, it plummeted back down to 30. I underwent another bone marrow biopsy, and while my doctor promised he’d eventually find the root cause and potentially prescribe medication, I waited two weeks only to be told nothing conclusive was found. He suggested it might have been a virus that passed through and left its mark, though he wasn't sure which one or how I caught it. He told me to just keep up with the transfusions. Now, five months postpartum, my platelets are at 63 and my hemoglobin is 3.080. The other lab results are a mixed bag—some values are slightly higher, some lower. I am desperately searching for answers or a way to manage this; living with such low platelets and low blood levels is exhausting. I honestly feel like this is connected to why I sometimes struggle to breathe—like I’m inhaling air but can't actually feel it, as if I'm not breathing at all. When I asked the doctor, he said he didn't know and insisted it wasn't related. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart if anyone can offer any guidance. Best wishes to everyone.😢🙂

mellowviper24 said:(...)
I'm not sure if I've answered everything now or managed to give you a clearer picture of the situation. If I decide to go ahead with another dose, could there be any side effects? Do you think it would be a wise move? I'll definitely reach out to my doctor after my vacation, but I'd love to hear your final take on this.

Thanks again for the expert help 🙂

Hello,

I wouldn't say it's strictly mandatory, but if you choose to proceed, you can take another round of iron therapy without worry. With an Iron 9 level and Ferritin 43, you shouldn't expect any harm from such treatment; rather, it might help bolster your stores.

If you do opt for therapy, I don't believe it's necessary to take the full dosage.

Best regards. 🙂

Maria Fisher46 said:Dear lady,

I wouldn't say it's strictly mandatory, but if you decide to go that route, you can certainly take another course of iron supplements without much worry. Given that your Iron 9 levels and Ferritin 43 are where they are, such a treatment shouldn't be harmful; rather, it might serve to bolster your existing stores, much like adding extra fuel to a tank that is running a bit low.

Should you choose to proceed with the therapy, I don't believe it's necessary to commit to the full dosage.

Best regards. 🙂

Thank you so much for the help; your advice and insights are truly invaluable. 🙂

Best,

I just got my KKS results back and everything is within the normal range except for

K-MCH 27.3 REF. VALUE 27.4-33.9
K-MCHC 315 REF. VALUE 320-345

So, these two numbers are slightly low. What do these abbreviations actually mean, and can anyone give me their take on these results?

Thanks

Chris Morris96 said:I've been dealing with issues regarding my platelets and blood since I was five months pregnant.
It’s been five months since my C-section, and my blood work is still showing low platelets at 63 and a white blood cell count around 3,080. Looking at the other results, some markers are up while others are down. I’m reaching out because I need help finding a way to manage this—living with low platelet counts and low blood levels is exhausting. I suspect they might be linked to the breathing issues I've been having lately, where I feel like I can't catch my breath or actually "feel" the air coming in. I asked my doctor, but they weren't sure and didn't think the blood counts were the cause. Any advice would mean the world. Thank you all.😢🙂

To whom it may concern,

Unfortunately, you're dealing with highly complex health issues that we simply can't address here on the forum. Your situation requires a coordinated effort from a large team of specialists to be handled properly.

What you’re describing as a new issue—that sensation of shortness of breath—is what we call dyspnea in medical terms. You really shouldn't brush these breathing difficulties aside; they need to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly. There is also a possibility that this respiratory distress is linked to your low platelet count, which is definitely something that warrants a closer look.

The only thing I can suggest is to seek out more perspectives regarding your symptoms. Consult a pulmonologist, an immunologist, and a cardiologist. If you aren't satisfied with your current hematologist, get a second opinion from another one.

Unfortunately, this is all I can advise you on via the Forum.

Ask your family doctor to map out the next steps. They should be the one to direct you on which specialists to consult and in what specific order.

Best wishes to you all. I hope everything goes well. 🙂

Chris Morris96 said:I had my KKS done. Everything came back within the normal range, except for...

K-MCH 27.3 (Reference Range: 27.4–33.9)
MCHC 315. Reference range is 320–345.

So, these two values are running lower than expected. What exactly do these abbreviations stand for? Also, I’d appreciate some insight on what this overall result actually means.

Thanks.

To whom it may concern,

Looking at your lab results, you've pulled out MCH and MCHC. Honestly? Those two parameters alone don't tell us much of anything.

These parameters, along with MCV, are what we call erythrocyte constants. They essentially describe specific characteristics of the erythrocyte—the cells responsible for transporting oxygen and carbon dioxide throughout the body. When looking at these values, you can't view them in a vacuum; they always need to be interpreted alongside your total erythrocyte count and hemoglobin concentration.

MCH represents the average amount, while MCHC measures the average concentration of hemoglobin—that oxygen-carrying molecule—within an erythrocyte.

A few notes before my final comment:

Your MCHC value shows a very slight deviation from the norm, while the MCH remains essentially insignificant.
Keep in mind that MCHC readings can be unreliable depending on which specific device is being used.
3. You should always look at MCH and MCHC values in conjunction with MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and your erythrocyte count.

If your MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte counts are all within the normal range, then these specific numbers don't hold much clinical weight; you could essentially consider the results normal.

Medical literature suggests that low MCH and MCHC levels—though yours aren't nearly as pronounced as what we see in textbook cases—can serve as early warning signs of declining iron levels. In essence, they might hint at anemia before it actually develops.

In situations where there is legitimate cause for concern, further testing—such as checking serum iron, TIBC, UIBC, and Ferritin—is necessary to get the full picture.

Personally, if the MCV, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and erythrocyte counts are steady, I wouldn't lose much sleep over such minor deviations in MCH and MCHC.

That said, you absolutely need to go over these results with your doctors. They have the complete context of your medical history and are far better equipped to interpret these findings; their take might differ from mine entirely.

Best regards. 🙂

Hey there

I just got my blood work back—specifically the lipid panel—and here’s what I’m looking at:

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 much should I actually be sweating this? From what I can tell, my "good" cholesterol is low and my triglycerides are right on the edge. There’s a ton of cardiovascular disease in my family history, so I’m trying to figure out if I’m officially in the high-risk club. I’m 25 years old.

I’m writing to you from France, so I assume you’ll be able to make sense of what’s going on and what everything means here.

MY DATA THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY BE WITHIN RANGE

Leukocytes 5,400 M/L 4,000 A 10,000
Erythrocytes 3,800,000 M/L 3,800,000 A 5,800,000
Hemoglobin 11.3 g/dL 11.5 A 16.0
Hematocrit 33.6 % 37.0 A 47.0
Anisocytosis Index 13.6% INF A 15.0
MCV 109 fl 80 A 100
MCHC 34 g/dL 30 A 36
MCH 37 pg 27 A 32

Polynuclear Neutrophils 35.1% 1,895 M/L 2,000 A 7,500
Polynuclear Eosinophils 0.1% 5 M/L INF A 800
Polynuclear Basophils 0.4% 22 M/L INF A 200
Lymphocytes 56.5 % 3,051 M/L 1,000 A 4,000
Monocytes 7.9 % 427 M/L 100 A 1,000

Platelet Count 63,000 M/L 150,000 A 500,000
Mean Platelet Volume 7.7 fl 6.0 a 12.0

I would be incredibly grateful if someone could explain what is actually happening with my levels. Why are some of these first ones high and others low? I'm trying to figure out if there's a virus present or—God forbid—some kind of tumor. The doctor hasn't prescribed any medication or therapy to get things back to normal; they just mentioned blood transfusions.

Thanks so much. These results were taken on August 4, 2011.

Hi,
I just got my urinalysis results back and was hoping someone could help me make sense of this:

Urinalysis:

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
Lots of bacteria
Lots of mucus
Some amorphous phosphate salts

Thanks in advance for any insight on these results.🙂

Chris Morris96 said:I'm writing to you from France, so I assume you'll understand what's going on and what everything means.

MY DATA THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY BE

Leukocytes 5,400 M/L 4,000 TO 10,000
Erythrocytes 3.80.000 M/L 3,800,000 TO 5,800,000
Hemoglobin 11.3 g/dL 11.5 TO 16.0
Hematocrit 33.6 % 37.0 TO 47.0
Anisocytosis Index 13.6% INF TO 15.0
MCV 109 fl 80 TO 100
MCHC 34 g/dl 30 TO 36
MCH 37 pg 27 TO 32

NEUTROPHILS 35.1% 1,895 M/L 2,000 TO 7,500
EOSINOPHILS 0.1% 5 M/L INF TO 800
BASOPHILS 0.4% 22 M/L INF TO 200
LYMPHOCYTES 56.5 % 3,051 M/L 1,000 TO 4,000
MONOCYTES 7.9 % 427 M/L 100 TO 1,000

PLATELET COUNT 63,000 M/L 150,000 TO 500,000
MEAN PLATELET VOLUME 7.7 fl 6.0 TO 12.0

I would be extremely grateful if you could explain to me what is actually happening here—why some of these initial values are high and others are low. I'm worried about whether there might be a virus or, heaven forbid, a tumor, because my doctor isn't prescribing anything to bring them back to normal—no pills or any kind of therapy, just blood transfusions.

Thank you so much. Results were taken on 08/04/2011

I'm writing to you from France, so I assume you'll understand what's going on and what everything means.

MY DATA THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT SHOULD NORMALLY BE

Leukocytes 5,400 M/L 4,000 TO 10,000
Erythrocytes 3.80.000 M/L 3,800,000 TO 5,800,000
Hemoglobin 11.3 g/dL 11.5 TO 16.0
Hematocrit 33.6 % 37.0 TO 47.0
Anisocytosis Index 13.6% INF TO 15.0
MCV 109 fl 80 TO 100
MCHC 34 g/dl 30 TO 36
MCH 37 pg 27 TO 32

NEUTROPHILS 35.1% 1,895 M/L 2,000 TO 7,500
EOSINOPHILS 0.1% 5 M/L INF TO 800
BASOPHILS 0.4% 22 M/L INF TO 200
LYMPHOCYTES 56.5 % 3,051 M/L 1,000 TO 4,000
MONOCYTES 7.9 % 427 M/L 100 TO 1,000

PLATELET COUNT 63,000 M/L 150,000 TO 500,000
MEAN PLATELET VOLUME 7.7 fl 6.0 TO 12.0

I would be extremely grateful if you could explain to me what is actually happening here—why some of these initial values are high and others are low. I'm worried about whether there might be a virus or, heaven forbid, a tumor, because my doctor isn't prescribing anything to bring them back to normal—no pills or any kind of therapy, just blood transfusions.

Thanks so much, the results were pulled on August 4, 2011.

Chris Morris96 said:Writing to you guys from France, so I figure you’ll get the gist of what’s going on here.

MY DATA THESE ARE THE VALUES THAT SHOULD BE NORMAL

Leukocytes 5,400 M/L 4,000 TO 10,000
Erythrocytes 3.80.000 M/L 3,800,000 TO 5,800,000
Hemoglobin 11.3 g/dL 11.5 TO 16.0
Hematocrit 33.6 % 37.0 TO 47.0
Anisocytosis Index 13.6% INF TO 15.0
MCV 109 fl 80 TO 100
MCHC 34 g/dL 30 TO 36
MCH 37 pg 27 TO 32

NEUTROPHILS 35.1% 1895 M/L 2000 TO 7500
EOSINOPHILS 0.1% 5 M/L INF TO 800
BASOPHILS 0.4% 22 M/L INF TO 200
LYMPHOCYTES 56.5% 3051 M/L 1000 TO 4000
MONOCYTES 7.9% 427 M/L 100 TO 1000

PLATELET COUNT 63,000 M/L 150,000 TO 500,000
MPV 7.7 fl 6.0 TO 12.0

I would be incredibly grateful if someone could explain what’s actually happening with me. Why are some of these numbers high and others low? I'm worried about whether there's a virus or—God forbid—a tumor. My doctor hasn't given me any pills or therapy to bring these back to normal, just blood transfusions.

Thanks a lot. These results were taken on August 4, 2011.

Your platelets are low. Everything else is slightly off, but honestly, I can't give you a precise breakdown without knowing your actual symptoms and medical history. You can't tell if it's a virus, a tumor, or bacteria just by looking at a blood count.

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!

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

Olivia Hayes89 said:urinary tract infection

I don't have any pain, zero symptoms. I just don't get it.🤷

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. 😉

Hey there, fellow forum members,

Honestly, I’m really hoping there’s someone in here who can finally help me navigate this whole tug-of-war situation. It's just... I don't know. I guess I'm just looking for some actual guidance.

Exactly one year ago—so, right in August—I was feeling absolutely exhausted all day, every day. It got to the point where my mom started getting worried, so she sent me in for some blood and urine tests just to see what was actually going on. And honestly? Total shock. Everything came back looking perfectly fine, except for my platelets. The normal range is usually between 178 and 420, but mine were... 482).
The doctor sent me straight to a Hematologist right away because she wasn't feeling great about my results. I guess she saw something that didn't sit right with her.
During that whole stretch, I was just constantly exhausted. I mean, seriously, I was sleeping through basically the entire day and couldn't even bring myself to eat anything. My appetite was just totally gone.
So, I was back at the Hematology department today—they pulled some more blood, which is weird because it’s only been about a month since they last did it. Anyway, my platelets were... 573Which actually caught me pretty off guard, I guess.
The doctor told me to head back in two months for a follow-up just to see how things are looking then. I originally went in for my checkup back in January 2011, and at that point, my condition was... 563.

So, they sent me in for an abdominal ultrasound, and honestly, everything came back totally normal—kidneys, liver, pancreas, you name it, all good. Then they had me do a chest X-ray, which was also fine. Everything seems okay so far, I guess.
After all that, my doctor sent me off for a sternal puncture. 😲
The heart biopsy didn't really show anything new—so, it's not like it was cancer or anything. I guess the only thing they actually pointed out was that there’s quite a bit of megakaryocyte thrombocytopoiesis going on, plus some granulocytopoiesis present. Maybe that matters, maybe it doesn't.
They told me I should probably head back in for a follow-up in about a month. I guess we'll see how things go by then.

So, it's been a week since my puncture, and now I've gone and caught chickenpox. Just my luck, I guess.
So, when I was little—like, four years old—my brother and sister both came down with chickenpox. Now, my family keeps insisting that I had them too, claiming they used to pamper me with that white cream and that everything cleared up for me just as fast as it did for my siblings. But honestly? I don't know. Anyway, I ended up at the infectious disease ward at the General Hospital because the doctor there was adamant that what I have is definitely chickenpox and not Herpes zoster, which is what I should be dealing with if this is actually my second time having it. They ran some tests and this is what they wrote down: So, I was looking at some stuff earlier—just browsing, you know—and I saw this mention of a rash that follows the pattern of water fleas in all their different stages. Honestly, that sounds like a total nightmare. I guess it’s one of those things where you think you know what's going on, but then it shifts and changes, making everything feel super unpredictable. Maybe it's just how some things work, though. It's kind of weird when a physical symptom acts like a biological cycle, isn't it? Just one thing after another. I don't know, maybe I'm overthinking it. Anyway, just something that crossed my mind. 😕
I guess I lost some weight over the two weeks I spent stuck in home quarantine.
Still dealing with those blisters on my shoulders today, though they seem a bit less intense than before. I've got an appointment scheduled with the dermatologist at the end of the month because she’s insisting they’re just acne. I guess we'll see. 😕
(I'm just putting this here in case it actually has something to do with my platelets, I guess.)
My mom spent all day today swearing that I had chickenpox when I was little.
No, seriously.

A month went by after that, and when I finally went back for my follow-up at the Hematologist's office, my platelet count was still high...561).
So, I went to see a neurologist, and honestly? They basically told me I couldn't possibly be any more "normal" if that were even a thing. I guess that's just how it goes sometimes.
The last time I went in for my checkup was at the beginning of July, right after I got back from that trip, and my platelets were... 573.
I've got my next checkup scheduled for October.
Throughout this whole year, I’ve just been feeling constantly exhausted. Like today, for instance—I slept for fourteen hours straight, but I still feel completely wiped out. I honestly just want to crawl back into bed and sleep some more.
Periods are pretty regular, I guess. They seem normal enough—usually lasting about five days. The first two days are heavy, then they just settle down into a normal flow after that.
I don't smoke, and I don't drink. I mean, sure, school is stressing me out a bit right now, but nothing too crazy, I guess.
I just don't have any appetite at all. I'm sitting at about 101 pounds and I'm 5'6". Even when I really try to force myself to eat, I still seem to be losing weight. It's frustrating, I guess.
On my last lab results, the doctor wrote, "If the thrombocytosis persists, we'll have to do a bone marrow biopsy." I guess we'll just see what happens. 😕😕😕😕

My parents are freaking out right now and they honestly have no clue what the next move should be. I guess it’s worth asking—is there any point in us heading down to New York City? Like, should we look into seeing someone at a private clinic or just do whatever it takes to get answers??
I'm only 18, and honestly, I have zero desire to spend the rest of my life constantly running from clinic to clinic.
I would be so grateful for any advice you guys might have!