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

Maria Fisher46 said:No, under the latest Medicare regulations, a primary care physician isn't actually required to do anything. A specialist can only make a recommendation. It's up to the GP to decide if a test is necessary, and they have the authority to deny a referral entirely—though, obviously, they have to shoulder the responsibility if that call turns out to be wrong.

Honestly, my doctor has messed up so many times, offered medical nonsense as an excuse, and ignored specialist advice—not to mention the blatant refusal to write referrals and that ridiculous, aggressive push toward private clinics—that I don't see any real accountability happening. I guess you're talking about "moral responsibility" 😁

Amanda Perez42 said:Respectfully, could someone help me interpret this report? It’s for my mother (55 years old)—she was previously diagnosed with a disc protrusion

I will take a look at the results—even though this isn't my primary field of expertise.

I am assuming the protrusion you mentioned is at the L5-S1 level—though it could potentially be in the cervical spine.
You didn't mention if your mother is experiencing any symptoms—such as diagnosed osteoporosis, muscle weakness in the limbs, or paresthesia (that tingling or "pins and needles" sensation)?

Based on the report, there is damage to the spinal nerve roots that supply the muscles in both the upper and lower extremities—likely due to pressure from the protruding disc hitting the nerve exits.

The right arm and left leg seem to be more significantly "affected"—I assume this shows up as weakness in specific muscle groups or some tingling?

Susan Chavez said:On the follow-up test, the platelet count is 180. Thanks again!

👍
You are very welcome! 🙂

Megan Jones27 said:They ran tests, reviewed all my results, listened to me, and were just as puzzled by the symptoms I described. They ended up telling me to take an antihistamine as needed—though I don't even need one right now—and suggested I get another CBC.

Since you posted this a while back, it might be useful to briefly recap your current symptoms and the specific steps you've taken regarding medical workups. Try to be as detailed as possible; saying "blood tests" isn't quite enough. With more doctors contributing to this thread now, someone might suggest a direction that actually helps.

Laura Lopez47 said:As for bloodwork... I'm getting it done constantly because I'm dealing with nonstop sinus infections, colds, viruses, sore throats, and so on. My doctor keeps sending me for blood tests because of that.
Thanks for the response.

What does the clinical picture of these frequent infections look like? Are we talking about severe symptoms—serious enough to require hospitalization or resulting in complications? How often does this happen? Specifically, how many times a month are you on antibiotics?

Are there young children nearby, perhaps in daycare or preschool? Or do you work in a profession that puts you in close contact with small kids?

Maria Fisher46 said:Since you haven't posted in a while, it might be helpful to briefly recap your current symptoms and specifically what testing you've had done—try to be more detailed than just saying "blood work." With more doctors chiming in on this thread, someone might actually have a useful suggestion for you.

What does the clinical picture of these frequent infections look like? Are we talking severe symptoms that require hospitalization or complications? How often is this happening? Roughly how many times a month are you reaching for antibiotics?

Do you have young children nearby who attend daycare or preschool, or perhaps you work in a field involving small kids?

Constant nasal congestion... mild headaches... discharge ranging from clear to yellow... It’s an everyday thing. No breaks.
I have a 3-year-old son, but he isn't in daycare. I don't work around young children. Saw an ENT; sinus scans were fine, allergy tests came back negative. ENT just calls it non-specific rhinitis.🤦
Antibiotics? Maybe one course every two months. Only when the headaches and fever get unbearable.

Laura Lopez47 said:It’s constant—my nose is perpetually stuffed up—accompanied by these mild headaches... the nasal discharge shifts from clear to a yellowish tint. It’s happening every single day—there just isn't any relief.
My son is three—but he isn't in preschool yet. My line of work doesn't really put me around small children—so I lack that specific intuition. We saw an ENT specialist recently; the sinus scans came back clear and allergy tests were negative—nothing there. The doctor just calls it non-specific rhinitis. 🤦
Regarding antibiotics—perhaps just one course every couple of months—whenever I find myself truly struggling with a high fever and a piercing headache.

What’s the deal with the nasal and nasopharyngeal swabs—are we seeing any isolated pathogens there? Also, did you undergo a nasopharyngeal exam to check for enlarged adenoid vegetation—the third tonsil?
Do you suffer from allergies—given that you mentioned year-round issues like dust and mites? Also, what were your quantitative immunoglobulin levels—specifically regarding IgA—to rule out any congenital or acquired immunodeficiency?

Look—if we're talking about something truly severe, I find it hard to believe it would drag on for four years without any major shifts in symptoms—or, you know, any targeted medical intervention.

Laura Lopez47 said:It’s constant. My nose is always stuffed up, I've got these nagging headaches, and the drainage goes from clear to yellowish. It happens every single day. There just isn't any relief.
My son is three, and he’s not in daycare yet. I don't work in any field that involves small kids, so I don't have much experience there. We went to see an ENT specialist, and his sinus scans came back fine. Allergy tests were negative, too. The doctor just called it non-specific rhinitis. I guess that's all we know for now. 🤦
Maybe I go through one box of antibiotics every two months or so. That is, if I'm actually dealing with a really bad headache and a fever that won't quit.

I've been dealing with this exact same mess for years now. My ENT keeps insisting it's just allergic rhinitis, but then the allergist tells me I don't have any allergies at all—though, I guess he only did that one skin prick test. All my swabs come back clear and my blood work looks perfect. It’s frustrating.
I guess I just don't touch antibiotics for that kind of thing. If the discharge changes color or if those headaches start hitting me every single day, I just stick to corticosteroid sprays instead.
Now my doctor is trying to send me off for a sinus CT, but I’m totally stalling because, honestly, I'm freaking out about it. :-D

Sandra Vaughn50 said:What about nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs? Any specific pathogens identified? Have you had a nasopharyngeal exam to check for enlarged adenoids?
Any history of allergies, given the year-round issues with dust and mites? Also, what were the immunoglobulin levels—any sign of an immune deficiency like IgA?

At first glance, if this were something truly severe, I doubt it would drag on for four years without shifting much or being caught by specific treatment.

I’ve done two rounds of nasopharyngeal swabs for bacteria and fungi... both came back negative. I also had a fiberendoscopy—if that's the right word—and the doctor said everything looked fine, except for some purulent secretion in the upper nasal passage. They removed my adenoids when I was a kid. I haven't checked my IgA, but my IgE was normal. I tried corticosteroids too, but they didn't do a thing.

I don't know if it's dangerous, just exhausting. Every day feels like a cold. Breathing through my nose is nearly impossible, and the constant headaches... it's hard to deal with. It really ruins your quality of life.

Maria Fisher46 said:Which antibiotic were you prescribed? Have any tests been performed besides a standard blood count? Are you running a fever?

It is impossible to state with certainty whether this sudden onset of lower back pain radiating down the leg is linked to what is happening with your teeth, though theoretically, it is possible—for instance, if bacteria from a dental infection entered the bloodstream and migrated toward the spinal area.

Given that you mentioned feeling generally unwell, it would be prudent to contact your local emergency room for further evaluation.

I was prescribed Doxycycline, one tablet every 12 hours.
The pain in my back and leg persists. It isn't subsiding even with medication; I was given Naproxen. I actually went to the ER today because I felt truly terrible—dizziness, headaches, and general weakness, though no fever.
I was seen only by a nurse at the ER and sent home; she told me to just continue the antibiotic and suggested that if the dizziness, headache, and weakness are side effects, they are considered normal. 🤔
By the way, I am allergic to penicillin (it causes a rash).
Aside from a blood count, no other tests have been conducted.

Ashley Booth12 said:Hey everyone. So, my back just completely seized up on me, and I ended up heading to the doctor to get some kind of pain injection or pills—basically anything to make this throbbing stop. I’ve been dealing with these nagging morning back pains for about a year now, but I always figured I could just power through it. I tried swapping out my pillow, getting a new mattress, the whole nine yards... but nothing worked. This time, though, it’s different. It’s like my body just locked up. The entire right side of my lower back, my hip, and my whole right leg is aching and stiffening up; it’s a constant, burning sensation that’s honestly driving me a little crazy. My doctor ordered some blood work, and I just got the results back:
http://postimg.org/image/iba8ek0c3/
So, I finally got my hands on those antibiotics, and now I’m just playing the waiting game until my follow-up appointment in ten days.
So, if anyone’s actually got the patience to dig through these results, they'll see it clearly points to some kind of inflammation going on in the body, but...
So, my doctor wasn't exactly willing to give me a definitive "yes" on whether this is an inflammatory issue, mostly because she kept pivoting back to whether I’ve been dealing with some kind of back pain lately. She even asked if I was coming down with a cold, which, honestly, I am not. Then she started digging into whether there's something else going on entirely. I've been struggling with this hair loss since the spring, and at first, I just brushed it off as that typical seasonal shedding everyone talks about. But this isn't just a few stray hairs—it’s been happening non-stop since the spring, and it's getting pretty intense; I'm talking actual clumps falling out. When I first went in to get it checked out, the medical advice was basically just "take some vitamins" and "try these specialized shampoos," but let's be real, nothing has actually worked. It’s just been one long, frustrating cycle.
So, about two months ago, I had this whole mess with a granuloma on one of my molars. It was basically an old infection from some root canals I had done maybe six or seven years back that had been sitting there, totally sealed off, until it started spreading behind the tooth. The smell was just absolutely revolting, and eventually, a fistula popped up on my palate, so they had to go ahead and pull the tooth. I’ve been wondering, though—could something like that still be causing systemic inflammation in my body? Honestly, my overall health right now is just a total disaster. Between the constant pain I'm dealing with in my back and legs, I can barely even get out of bed in the morning. On top of that, I'm feeling this overwhelming exhaustion and just a general sense of weakness throughout my entire body. I'm 30, and I just feel completely wiped out.

Ashley Booth12 said:So, I finally got my hands on some Doxycycline—taking one every twelve hours now.
The pain in my back and leg just won't quit. Honestly, even the meds aren't touching it, and they actually prescribed me some Naproxen today. I ended up heading over to the ER because I was feeling genuinely terrible—just constant dizziness, a killer headache, and this total sense of physical exhaustion, though I didn't have a fever or anything.
I just got seen by a nurse at the ER and they sent me straight home. She basically told me to just stick with the antibiotics and that if I’m feeling dizzy, getting headaches, or just feeling totally wiped out, it's all perfectly normal side effects. 🤔
So, just a heads-up for anyone looking out for me—I’ve actually got a penicillin allergy, and it hits me pretty hard with a nasty rash.
Aside from getting my blood work done, I haven't really gone out and had any other tests run yet.

I’m right there with Nicholas Myers on this one.
Honestly, those symptoms you're dealing with could totally be coming from that inflammation around your teeth—it sounds like there might be an untreated infection lurking in there, based on what you described.

I haven't had a chance to look over those lab results yet.
So, I was looking over some recent lab results, specifically that C-reactive protein (CRP) level, and it got me thinking about how much these little markers can actually tell us when things aren't quite right. It’s one of those things where you see the number jump, and suddenly you're spiraling a bit, wondering if there's some underlying inflammation running rampant through your system. It's kind of like seeing a check engine light flicker on your dashboard while you're cruising down the I-95; it doesn't necessarily mean the whole engine is blown, but it definitely tells you to pull over and take a closer look at what's going on under the hood.
Maybe grab an X-ray of the lumbar spine—though if things look sketchy, you might want to push for a CT or even an MRI just to be safe.
So, I went ahead and got an X-ray of the area where that inflammation was acting up, just to see what we were actually dealing with.

It’s actually totally doable, and honestly, it's exactly what my buddy Nicholas Myers was hinting at when he brought up discitis. We’re talking about a situation that really demands some serious teamwork between different specialists—you'd probably need an oral surgeon, a radiologist, a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, and even an infectious disease specialist all sitting down at the same table to figure it out.

Nah, I think it’s totally possible—actually, it’s probably more likely—that we're looking at two completely separate entities here.

If you're dealing with an untreated infection around your teeth, Clindamycin is usually the go-to antibiotic that doctors reach for first.
It looks like there’s been a sudden, independent flare-up with those lower back issues I’ve been dealing with lately.

Honestly, looking at everything you’ve described, I wouldn't suggest jumping straight to an NSAID (like Voltaren, Naproxen, Advil, ibuprofen, Ketorolac, or Lupocet) right out of the gate. My thinking is that those meds might actually mask a fever, and you really want to see if your temperature spikes so you can confirm if there's an inflammatory process going on—which, let's be real, usually points toward a bacterial infection.

There are definitely other possibilities that could explain what you're feeling, but they aren't quite as common as the usual suspects.

velvetmoose9 said:I find myself in agreement with Nicholas Myers.
The symptoms described could certainly stem from an inflammatory process in the dental area (which, based on the description, appears to be untreated).

I haven't reviewed any specific lab results yet, such as:
-CRP
-Lumbar spine X-ray (or potentially a CT or MRI if necessary)
-Dental X-rays (panoramic) of the specific region where the inflammation was located

It is entirely possible that we are looking at discitis—as Nicholas Myers suggested—which would necessitate a coordinated effort between a dentist (perhaps an oral surgeon?), a radiologist, a neurologist, a neurosurgeon, and an infectious disease specialist...

However, it is also quite plausible (and perhaps more likely) that we are dealing with two distinct issues:

- An untreated infection in the dental region (where Clindamycin would be the antibiotic of choice)
- An independent flare-up of previously documented lumbosacral spine issues.

Regarding the current symptoms, I would not initially recommend an NSAID (such as Voltaren, Naproxen, Advil, ibuprofen, Ketorolac, or Lupocet), as suppressing a fever might mask the very indicator we need to confirm an active inflammatory process, likely bacterial in nature.

There are other possibilities that could explain these symptoms, though they are statistically less common.

I also have this result: http://postimg.org/image/mdisq18n7/
It was on a separate sheet, so I didn't include it originally.

And here is today's panoramic dental X-ray: http://postimg.org/image/oapoby1ar/
My dentist claims he doesn't see any signs of an issue there.

At this point, I am truly at a loss... I am repeating my blood work next Monday. Since I take my last dose of antibiotics tomorrow morning, will that provide enough time for the blood tests to reflect anything meaningful?

Sandra Vaughn50 said:I'll take a quick look at those results, even though this isn't exactly my area of expertise. What do you think?

I'm guessing that protrusion you mentioned is happening at the L5-S1 level? It could be in the cervical spine too, right?
Did you mention if your mother is dealing with any symptoms? Is she struggling with diagnosed osteoporosis, muscle weakness in her legs, or maybe some tingling and numbness?

So, according to the results, it looks like there's some damage to the nerve roots that control the muscles in both the upper and lower limbs—likely because a protruding disc is pressing right on those nerve exits. Anyone else dealt with something similar?

It seems like my right arm and left leg are the ones getting hit the hardest—I'm guessing that shows up as muscle weakness or maybe some tingling?

Thanks so much! My mom is dealing with those exact same issues. She’s also been diagnosed with osteoporosis and gets this tingling sensation in her hands—plus, she keeps tripping over thin air while walking on flat ground, especially with her right leg. Isn't it scary how that happens?
So, what are we supposed to do with this diagnosis? My doctor recommended some spa therapy, but there’s already a three-month waitlist in Split. What should I do? 😢My mom has such an exhausting physical job, too—she’s a nurse at a nursing home working specifically in the disability ward. And apparently, they aren't even allowed to write on her medical reports anymore that she needs a lighter duty assignment? Since when does that happen?

Ashley Booth12 said:I also have this lab result: http://postimg.org/image/mdisq18n7/
It was on a separate sheet, so I didn't include it initially.

And here is today's X-ray: http://postimg.org/image/oapoby1ar/
The dentist claims there isn't any visible process there.

At this point, I'm lost. I'm repeating my blood work next Monday. My last dose of antibiotics is tomorrow morning—is that enough time before the retest?

It’s unclear why the doctor opted for Doxycycline. Generally, it's prescribed for atypical pneumonia, certain gynecological issues, STIs, Lyme disease, or a few other specific cases. It leaves one wondering what exactly they are trying to target with it in your case.

The anti CCP result is normal. That's used as a marker for rheumatoid arthritis, which, based on what you've shared, shouldn't be an issue for you.

Laura Lopez47 said:I don't know if it's dangerous... but it's exhausting. Every day feels like having a constant cold. I can barely breathe through my nose, and the headaches... they're relentless. It completely ruins my quality of life.

Based on your description, the issue seems centered in the nasal or sinus area. It might be worth seeking a second opinion from an ENT specialist who focuses specifically on this. Someone like a top specialist at the Mayo Clinic might be able to provide more clarity.

Regarding immunological testing, aside from checking immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgM, IgG), I don't think further investigation is indicated right now.

Thanks for the reply! I actually sought out a second opinion from another doctor, and she was just as puzzled as I am about why I was prescribed Doxycycline in the first place.
While I was taking it, I dealt with intense dizzy spells and noticed my eyelid swelling up—which I even saw listed as a potential side effect.
I’m heading back tomorrow to redo my blood work, so we'll see what happens once the results are in; I'll be getting my TSH checked then as well.

One more thing. Wouldn't it have been more logical to refer me for testing to isolate the specific bacteria involved, rather than just guessing which antibiotic to use?

Maria Fisher46 said:It’s not entirely clear why the doctor opted for Doxycycline. Usually, it’s prescribed for atypical pneumonia, certain gynecological issues, STIs, Lyme disease, or a few other specific cases. So, one has to wonder what exactly they're targeting with the Doxycycline in your case.

Your anti-CCP results came back normal. Since that's a marker for rheumatoid arthritis—something you mentioned isn't expected in your situation—it's a good sign.

Based on what you've described, the issue seems centered around your nose or sinuses. It might be worth getting a second opinion from an ENT specialist who focuses specifically on that area; perhaps someone like a top specialist at the Mayo Clinic could offer some clarity.

Regarding immunological testing, aside from checking your immunoglobulin levels (IgA, IgM, IgG), I don't think further testing is indicated right now.

Thanks for the reply. I'll look into getting another opinion...
Just let me know what those immunoglobulins (IgA, IgM, IgG) actually are. Thanks.

I just received my latest blood work results. My white blood cell count is 8.3, with a reference range up to 9.7 (previously, it was at 13.78).
Everything else appears to be within the normal range, except for my ESR (sedimentation rate), which has actually increased to 34, where the reference limit is 24 (it was 29 the first time).
My lymphocyte count was 14.2 against a reference of 20, but it has now risen to 31, with a reference up to 46.
TSH is 2.46.

I am still enduring excruciating pain in my lower back, hip, and throughout my entire right leg.
I was prescribed 600mg of ibuprofen and 2mg of Normabel.
The pill "masks" the pain for part of the day, but not entirely, and by morning, everything starts all over again. I can barely move.

I would appreciate some advice on whether I should request an X-ray of my spine, as the sensation of the pain suggests that
everything is radiating outward from the center of my lower back.
Or should I be asking for other therapies? It seems my doctor has decided to simply "shush" me with pills
that will ultimately do nothing more than hide the symptoms. This has been going on for two and a half weeks now without relief, and the pain is steadily worsening. Between the exhaustion caused by the pain and the frustration of being unable to fix anything, I feel quite overwhelmed. I have been applying Neofen gel, but it provides no respite whatsoever. I even bought some aloe vera ointment thinking a herbal approach might help, but to no avail.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU!

Does anyone have any insight on this:
I just had some blood and urine work done for a routine checkup, and I’m a bit confused by these results: positive leukocytes in the urine, an ESR of 10-15 mm/hr, 3-4 RBCs per high power field, and bacteria present. If anyone could explain what this actually points to, or if this is something worth getting worried about—and which type of specialist I should reach out to—I'd appreciate it.

Hi everyone! I’m 35 years old, have two healthy pregnancies under my belt, and have already had gallbladder surgery and a fibroid removal.
Because of some persistent joint pain in my hands, I decided to go in for some testing.
Rheumatoid factor was 29 (ref. range up to 20)
Waler rose negative
CCP 5)
ANA luminex POSITIVE
anti-DNA 29 ( Anti-topoisomerase antibodies 46 (>40 positive)
AHA 49 (>40 positive)
Also, I've been dealing with anemia since I was 15.
I would really appreciate any thoughts or insights you all might have...

Ashley Booth12 said:One more thing. Wouldn't it be better if she sent me for testing to isolate exactly which bacteria we're dealing with, rather than just guessing an antibiotic?

Ideally, yes. But the issue is that the actual site of a potential infection hasn't been identified yet, so what would they even use for a sample? Plus, there's the question of whether this is even an infection at all or something else entirely.

Ashley Booth12 said:I’m still dealing with agonizing pain in my lower back, hip, and my entire right leg.
I was given 600mg of ibuprofen and 2mg of Normabel.
The pill "masks" the pain for part of the day, but not completely, and by morning it's all over again. I can barely move...

It's clear from this that you need further follow-up—starting with a neurologist or a physiatrist, for instance. After that, you'll likely need imaging. An X-ray of the spine, or perhaps the hips, will only be one piece of the puzzle and probably won't be enough to reach a final diagnosis. velvetmoose9 already touched on this in a previous post.

Laura Lopez47 said:Just tell me what these immunoglobulins—IgA, IgM, and IgG—actually are. Thanks.

One way to look at how humoral immunity works is that a deficiency in certain immunoglobulins could trigger recurring infections—like those respiratory issues you mentioned. However, based on what you’ve laid out, that seems statistically unlikely. It feels more like the issue is localized somewhere in the upper respiratory tract, which might actually call for an ENT consultation instead.

Brenda Gomez17 said:Does anyone know what this means:
I just got my blood and urine results back for a routine checkup, and I’m a bit confused by a few things. My labs show positive leukocytes in the urine, an ESR of 10-15, and 3-4 RBCs/non-specific epithelial cells/bacteria. Can anyone explain what this actually means? Is this cause for alarm, and which specialist should I reach out to?

If you weren't actually feeling sick and just had the test done as part of a routine physical, you really ought to get it redone. It’s the only way to be sure. Before you go back, make sure you clean the area thoroughly and use a midstream urine sample. Also, stay hydrated—drink plenty of water beforehand. You can just head back to your primary care physician to have this repeated. If the follow-up shows leukocyturia—meaning an elevated white blood cell count—then we need to dig deeper. That kind of result can stem from various issues, like urinary tract infections or even gynecological infections, some of which tend to simmer quietly without obvious symptoms. However, it's important to keep in mind that this finding isn't a smoking gun for infection; it can also point toward other underlying medical conditions or disorders.

First off, you really ought to get that lab work redone.