Red cells from blood test,

[gillsky8]

just read the report from GP. if anyone can make sense of this then would be grateful ?

No infection, (although this was queried at the hospital as there was a trace of Leukoytes in the urine.

red cells present,

Routine culture is no longer required if the WBC count is less than 50/mm3 as UTI is very unlikely below this count. I think the GP should have requested a culture in anycase due to previous issues. even if a minor Uti is present ? yes. ?

Microscopy

White blood cells 10-50 /mm3

Red blood cells >10?mm3

Epitellial cells ++

Haven't a clue what the last one is ?

So can this all be brought about by prednisone as I really suspect I have had various blood tests with high red blood cells present along the way.

Also I am on PPi's esomeprazole 40mg per day.

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Is this a new urine test report or is it the same one you posted about 5 days ago?

[PMRpro Ambassador]

Epithelial cells are usually contamination from the skin surrounding the urethra when you collect the sample so a certain level of them is acceptable, If they are very raised then it suggests a UTI in the bladder or further up the tract,

The other results are probably regarded as acceptable levels that don't suggest an infection.

[gillsky8 in reply to PMRpro]

White blood cells 10-50 /mm3

so would this result for white cells not be considered high enough for UTI, there seems to be some uncertainty over this

Red blood cells >10?mm3

Is this considered high ?

Epitellial cells ++

and so as you say this could be contamination from skin surrounding ?

In anycase it seems to the GP wants to test urine again in a week in the meantime am going to be taking the antibiotic Nitrofurantoin caps 50mg per day. Hopefully fingers crossed that will resolve the situation. The consultant seemed to be saying this was a long term prescription to prevent the UTI's recurring.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to gillsky8]

It says in your post that under 50 requires no culture as a UTI is unlikely at that level. That is your local lab's criterion.

There are other causes - so by testing after a decent dose of abx, presence of RBCs might signal that should be investigated.

healthline.com/health/rbc-i...

[gillsky8 in reply to PMRpro]

So I guess what you are saying then if the antibiotics have not kicked in after a week or so she is being thorough in taking the investigation further ?

that seems to make sense

[PMRpro Ambassador]

But these levels are urinary ones?

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

🤦‍♀️ good point, well presented. Not sure what happened there. Shall I delete it?

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to SnazzyD]

Up to you - it is a bit confusing from start to finish ...

[SnazzyD in reply to PMRpro]

Deleted