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What Does My Urine Analysis Test Report Indicate?

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Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015
Question: I am hoping a Urologist will answer this.

I had 4-5 RBC on a urinalysis last week. Re check this week was normal. All other blood work is normal. Cytology report for urine specimen states, "no malignant cells. Reactive and degenerative changes seen". It goes on to say if I have questions to talk to a Urologist but does not specify a need to be further evaluated. I have an appointment with a Urologist in 3 days.

Is this indicative of sub clinical infection or something more sinister?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (56 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
could be benign

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

this finding requires at least some radiological investigation. Although 4-5 red blood cells per high power field is not a very high number, it's no normal either. Some very common causes include infection, obstruction, other inflammatory conditions (like glomerulonephritis) and tumors.

Red blood cells in the urine requires careful assessment of the urinary tract to exclude tumors, particularly in painless situations like yours. The urinalysis may indicate signs of infection like bacteriuria, nitrates, white blood cells, etc.

An ultrasound scan of the urinary tract is a good initial test. A CT scan is a more detailed test.

If the CT is clear, then the tumor scenario can be nearly excluded.

Passage of kidney stones thought the urinary tract, may cause the presence of red blood cells in the urine even without pain (although pain is usually present).

The stones are also visible on the CT scan.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (6 minutes later)
I don't think you read the whole question.

Please re read. No RBCs on follow up. Cytology negative for malignant cells. Shows reactive and degenerate changes.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I've read it...

Detailed Answer:
I've read the whole question.
It doesn't matter that you had red blood cells in one specimen only. It could be a benign reason or a malignant one, although the first sounds more probable than the latter.
Cytology testing does not exclude cancer. You'll need at least 3 negative samples for that, and even then it's not accurate.

The radiological investigation (at least an ultrasound scan) is required. As I've pointed out in my first answer, in painless hematuria (even a transient one) tumors have to be ruled out. The only non-invasive way to do that, is by conducting appropriate radiological tests.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (10 minutes later)
A Urologist just told me "This is definitely nothing bad. This is most likely indicative of an infection".

I am having a cystoscopy on Tuesday which is definitive for bladed issues - with no need for radiation. I have researched and that minor microhematuria would not be renal. I will have an Ultrasound too if Urologist says too. I think a. CT is awfully invasive at this point. Also, normal dipstick urine test the week before the hematuria. Does this matter?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I agree with this plan

Detailed Answer:
Most doctors would agree with this plan. If an upper urinary tract inflammatory origin (glomerulonephritis) can be reasonably excluded (no protein in the urine) then an ultrasound scan of the urinary tract and cystoscopy should suffice to exclude most malignant diagnoses. I would agree against the CT at this point, unless the ultrasound scan detects suspicious findings (because of the radiation, despite its higher accuracy for tumors and stones).

I can't say whether it's indicative of an infection. Infections usually give consistent results unless properly treated. You've told me about red blood cells only... no white blood cells, no nitrates, no bacteriuria...
This makes infection a less probable cause. It can't be excluded though.

Regarding the prior negative dipstick test, it does matter. It reduces the risk for serious conditions, but again it doesn't exclude them. Since tumors are suspected, they have to be reasonably excluded (with radiological tests). The cystoscopy is a minimally invasive test, but the best one for the bladder and I won't argue against its use.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (31 minutes later)
Culture showed organisms considered colonizers. It said no further test needed.

Can I still breast feed my toddler right now even in worst case scenario?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Of course you can...

Detailed Answer:
A negative urine culture is consistent with the results we've talked about. Infection is not very likely.

Of course you can breastfeed your toddler. There is nothing to worry about it! No harm can be done even in the worst case. And even about the hematuria, although the worst case scenario has to be excluded (because of its significance), other scenarios are much more likely. Please also take into account that a transient mild microscopic hematuria may be characterized idiopathic in more than half of the cases!

Best wishes!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
I do get kicked in the bladder pretty regularly by my 29 lb toddler who sleeps with me. I am very skinny and carry no weight in my abdomen
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I don't believe this is the cause

Detailed Answer:
I understand how babies may be overactive particularly when breastfeeding but I don't believe this is the cause. Getting kicked while breastfeeding is so common (for all women) that all medical books would have kicking in the top of their differential diagnosis lists, if it were possible to cause hematuria!

Kind Regards!
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Does My Urine Analysis Test Report Indicate?

Brief Answer: could be benign Detailed Answer: Hello, this finding requires at least some radiological investigation. Although 4-5 red blood cells per high power field is not a very high number, it's no normal either. Some very common causes include infection, obstruction, other inflammatory conditions (like glomerulonephritis) and tumors. Red blood cells in the urine requires careful assessment of the urinary tract to exclude tumors, particularly in painless situations like yours. The urinalysis may indicate signs of infection like bacteriuria, nitrates, white blood cells, etc. An ultrasound scan of the urinary tract is a good initial test. A CT scan is a more detailed test. If the CT is clear, then the tumor scenario can be nearly excluded. Passage of kidney stones thought the urinary tract, may cause the presence of red blood cells in the urine even without pain (although pain is usually present). The stones are also visible on the CT scan. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!