Help

[gurjo]

I have been noticing sediment/white stuff in my urine for about 6 weeks now. I had a blood test in September testing for kidney function, which came back fine. 4 weeks ago I visited my GP and did a urine sample, it was dip sticked it indicated a very small trace of protein. However when it was sent away to be looked at by a laboratory It came back fine and everything was in its normal range. My GP has told me as the urine and blood samples are normal, everything is fine. But I still keep seeing this white sediment. Should I be worried?

[overnighthearingloss]

I think it's worth asking for another check. Explaining to your gp in the way you have written the post.

[gurjo in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you so much for your response, but i don't think its helped me. As i stated above the GP said my kidney function test was fine and my urine sample came back normal. Do i need to worry?

[overnighthearingloss in reply to gurjo]

The results nay be different on a second test or there may be something else that's causing it. Either option doesn't mean you have to worry but if it concerns you it's probably best raising it with your gp.

[gurjo in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you so much for your reply. What else could be causing it? I get very worried about health issues you see. I rang my GP 2 weeks after everything came back clear as i was still feeling anxious, she looked at the results again and said from a medical point of view nothing in my results concerns her.

[overnighthearingloss in reply to gurjo]

That's probably a conversation to be had with your gp as she will have access to your medical history.

I can only guess, but maybe you might have some thrush or irritation from a soappowder?

[gurjo in reply to overnighthearingloss]

Thank you so so much for your help

[itzmich]

Get a copy of your test results look for anything out of the normal range high and low. Often Drs say your fine even though your numbers are off. So check your test an keep bugging your doctor. They work for you!! What is the reason the doctor gave for the sediment? I'm sure it was your test tests are fine. Ask again!

[lowraind]

Get a 2nd opinion. It might relieve your mind, or, it may prove your case.

[RickHow]

I have the exact same condition. I actually never paid attention to my urine, during my lifetime. I am 69. I had a kidney removed in 2017. Since then urine examination has been a part of my daily routine. :). My first concern was I noticed my urine was foamy. The more dehydrated I was the more foam was produced. I also then notice, after the urine settled and most of the foam went away (but not all), there appeared small traces remaining just like you described, in the urine. I thought to myself, this is bad. It must be protein in the urine (I am ckd stage 3 because I have just one kidney). I went and bought dip sticks at the pharmacy. I tested my urine 2 times a day, for 2 weeks. Everything tested normally except for trace "specific gravity". Also in the morning urine test there were leukocytes (which I later learned is not abnormal for the first and/or second urination of the day). These do not appear later. So I went to a walk in and had them test the urine. They said all was fine. So I went to my gp, my kidney doctor, my urologist. They did dip stick testing. The urologist did 24 hour urine collection and testing at the hospital. All these test came back that all was fine. There was no protein in the urine. There were no other measurements in the urine that were not in the normal range. I mentioned this to my father, early 90's, who told me he has had foamy urine all his life. They all say not to worry. The urologist said the "sediment" may be caused by the medication Flomax. As males produce sperm, trace amounts will pass unseen into the urine if there is not release by intercourse or other means. This happens with every guy but it not noticeable. However Flomax prevents in most males any release of sperm. Most guys on Flomax, during intercourse, will not produce sperm at orgasm. And it will restrict it from trace amounts passing in daily urination. So what happens is eventually larger amounts leak into the urine and are noticeable in the urination. This will explain why you see it sometimes, but not all the time. This was the only explanation offered to me. And even this was just a theory. So I am in the same condition as you and have been since 2017.

[Achil in reply to RickHow]

Hello,

Well, I can only confirm the same from Germany. I am 64 y/o and have experiencing the same symptoms since 3,5 years after my prostate operation. I am also in CDK stage 3A because of my prostate. Nothing wrong with my urine tests which I had to undergo every 3 months

[gurjo]

Guys thank you so so much for all your help.

[WYOAnne]

I think you should set your mind at ease that all is aok. You have to realize that your urine and blood results can vary depending on whether you are hydrated or not. It is only over time that a doctor can say you have kidney disease. Put it at the back of your mind now and relax. If you look for something, especially on the internet, you will find it.

If the issue continues with the sediment, like 6 months from now.....maybe it is time to contact your doctor and get another sample tested.

Take care and relax......

[gurjo in reply to WYOAnne]

Thank you for your help. X

[Fluuux]

I too have had sediment in the urine off and on for a few years (Im female). I did the thing where they go in with a camera in the bladder to check where the sediment was coming from and turns out it came from the kidneys. But no bladder or kidney specialist Ive talked to has been able to tell me what it is or why its there. So its still there and I dont know why so dont have an answer for you really but wanted to share my experience. /Linnéa

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

how's your kidney function? gfr?

Do you feel anything unusual other than that?

how many nephrologist did you talk to about it?

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

My gfr is 84. Dont really feel anything other than that thats unusual. I do have protein in my urine sometimes and sometimes I do also feel pain in my kidneys and/or bladder area but I havent felt pain for a while now (knock on wood)

[gurjo in reply to Fluuux]

what is a good gfr?

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

your gfr is not bad at all but having protein in urine is not normal. keep trying til you see one neph who would look closely into it. moreover the pain you feel is another sign. don't ignore it. I've been feeling pain in my lower back for over a year probably and didn't bother having myself checked until now.

[gurjo in reply to Teshie27]

What is a good GFR>

[Teshie27 in reply to gurjo]

depends on your age. up to 30s your gfr should still be at 90 and up. what's yours?

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

I went to my kidney doctor yesterday and talked about gfr etc. He said that your gfr is dependent on your body size so for example I am a female and rather slim and that I then have smaller kidneys than a man for example and therefore gfr 84 is pretty good for kidneys my size. But I dont know if he said that just to calm me down. I mean when you put your stats on an gfr calculator online for example you type in your height and weight. So should that gfr number be with the height and weight taken into account? Sorry for bad grammar etc, fell free to ask if somethings unclear

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

problem is they won't action til the drop is remarkable. have you had crp test?

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

Hi, sorry for the late reply. Yeah that's the feeling I have too. My doctor said "just live your life like normal". I did and here I am now having pain like I dont usually have and protein in urine :/ Yes I have tested my CRP and it has been normal

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

I suggest you mention ANA test to your Doc.

Have you asked them if it's harmful for sediment coming out of your kidneys? or if it indicates something?

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

Yeah Ive asked them and none of them have had any suggestions as to what it is or why its there. In my latest appointment with my nephrologist he said (because Ive had fungal infections in my bladder before) that it could be some of that thats coming from the ureters instead of the actual kidney. But Im not too sure. But thats the only explanation Ive gotten.

Whats an ANA test? I googled and read something about antibodies but feel free to explain more!

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

It's done to rule out autoimmune diseases

Conditions associated with a positive ANA test

The condition most commonly associated with a positive ANA is SLE. About 95% of those with SLE have a positive ANA test result. If someone also has symptoms of SLE, such as arthritis, a rash, and skin sensitivity to light, then the person probably has lupus. A positive anti-dsDNA and anti-SM (often ordered as part of an ENA panel) help confirm that the condition is SLE.

Other conditions in which a positive ANA test result may be seen include:

Drug-induced lupus—a number of medications may trigger this condition, which is associated with lupus symptoms. When the drugs are stopped, the symptoms usually go away. Although many medications have been reported to cause drug-induced lupus, those most closely associated with this syndrome include hydralazine, isoniazid, procainamide, and several anticonvulsants. Because this condition is associated with the development of autoantibodies to histones, an anti-histone antibody test may be ordered to support the diagnosis.

Sjögren syndrome—About 80% of people with this condition have a positive ANA test result. While this finding supports the diagnosis, a negative result does not rule it out.

Scleroderma (systemic sclerosis)—About 60-95% of those with scleroderma have a positive ANA. In people who may have this condition, ANA subset tests can help distinguish two forms of the disease, limited versus diffuse. The diffuse form is more severe. The limited form is most closely associated with the anticentromere pattern of ANA staining (and the anticentromere test), while the diffuse form is associated with autoantibodies to Scl-70.

Less commonly, ANA may occur in people with rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud syndrome, arthritis, dermatomyositis or polymyositis, mixed connective tissue disease, and other autoimmune conditions.

P.S. I just copied this info from labtestsonline.org/tests/an...

I haven't discussed my result with my neph. It will be on Sunday -I'll keep you posted

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

Yes definitely keep us posted! Ive actually wondered before weather I could have Sjögrens syndrome but my symptoms arent that severe. But I read that it can also cause renal symptoms so maybe its worth checking it out. Thanks so much for great info!

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

Unfortunately I tested positive with my ANA test, will have my Anti Ds-Dna result next week. I'm hoping it's not SLE

[Fluuux in reply to Teshie27]

Sorry to hear that Teshie, do you have any symptoms of SLE?

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

No I don't

[Teshie27 in reply to Fluuux]

I tested negative for SLE

waiting for result of my Anti SSA SSB next week