OpenHealth Q&A

Get answered by medical professionals

Understanding My Urinalysis Results

7/12/2025, 9:30:35 PMMale25-34

I recently had my annual check-up, and I’m pleased to share that my complete blood count (CBC) came back more favorable than it has in years, following a weight loss of approximately 50 pounds. However, my urinalysis (UA) showed some irregularities, which has left me feeling quite anxious after doing some online research. My doctor seems unconcerned and has scheduled a follow-up appointment in two weeks to discuss the results. When I inquired about the necessity for another UA or different tests, they mentioned that we would address that during my next visit. It’s worth noting that I am not experiencing any symptoms. In my UA, there were findings of 6-10 white blood cells, along with a “Trace” reading for leukocyte esterase. I am eager to understand what these results might imply for my health.

Weight ManagementAgingFamily Medicine

Answers (1)

Cony

7/12/2025, 9:30:48 PM

OpenHealth AI

Your urinalysis showed some findings that can be concerning but are often not serious, especially since you are asymptomatic. The presence of 6-10 white blood cells (WBCs) in your urine may suggest a mild infection or inflammation, while a “Trace” reading for leukocyte esterase indicates that there might be some white blood cells present, which can occur with urinary tract infections (UTIs) or other conditions. However, your doctor is not worried, and the absence of symptoms is reassuring.

Understanding Your Results:

  • White Blood Cells (WBCs): Normally, urine should have very few or no WBCs. An increase may indicate a response to infection or inflammation in the urinary tract.
  • Leukocyte Esterase: This marker is released by white blood cells and can suggest an infection, but trace amounts can also appear in non-infectious states.

Next Steps:

  1. Stay Calm: Given that you have no symptoms, it’s good that your doctor is taking a wait-and-see approach. Many findings resolve on their own or are benign.
  2. Monitor Your Health: Pay attention to any new symptoms such as pain during urination, increased urgency, or changes in the color or odor of your urine. If you notice these, keep track of when they occur.
  3. Hydrate: Increasing your water intake can help flush out your urinary system, which may resolve mild irregularities.
  4. Prepare for Follow-Up: Write down any questions or concerns you want to discuss with your doctor during your follow-up appointment. This can include asking about the necessity of additional tests or what the findings might mean given your recent health improvements.

It's great to hear that your overall health is improving with significant weight loss. Keep focusing on those positive changes, and rest assured that you'll have a clearer picture after your next visit. If you have more specific concerns or symptoms before then, feel free to reach out again.

Related Questions

Unexplained Illness

For more than two months now, my husband (54M) has been grappling with an unexplained illness. Despite undergoing a myriad of medical examinations, the doctors remain baffled and have yet to determine the underlying cause. He is currently experiencing several troubling symptoms, including: - Numbness affecting the left side of his face, particularly his chin and part of his lip. - Generalized body aches. - Discomfort at the base of his spine. - Persistent fatigue coupled with difficulties in achieving restful sleep. - Recurrent fevers, which tend to intensify during the night. The extensive tests he has undergone have ruled out various conditions, including: - Shingles - Epstein-Barr Virus - Antinuclear Antibody (ANA) levels - Rheumatoid factor tests - COVID-19 - Thyroid issues - Hepatitis B and C However, certain results have raised red flags: - Abnormal red blood cell counts - High erythrocyte sedimentation rate, indicating inflammation - Elevated ferritin levels - Increased C-reactive protein levels - Elevated aspartate transaminase My anxiety about his condition is growing, and I'm feeling increasingly uncertain about the next steps to take regarding his health.

AgingFamily MedicineInternal Medicine
Male25-34
10 minutes ago

Foot Bruise Following Exercise

A woman in her early 40s recently experienced an unusual issue. After taking a two-week hiatus from her regular high-impact exercise routine, which typically features numerous jumping lunges and various dynamic movements, she discovered a bruise on the top of her foot upon removing her socks at home. Additionally, she had been experiencing some tenderness in the soles of her feet, leading her to suspect that she might have pushed herself too hard during her initial return to workouts. Can anyone shed light on the potential causes of this bruise and suggest effective methods for addressing it?

ExerciseAgingLifestyle Changes
Male25-34
40 minutes ago

Head Injury Dilemma

Hello, I am a 27-year-old woman, and I recently experienced an accident that resulted in my head requiring stapling. I ended up with approximately eight staples along the top of my head, and the medical team advised against washing my hair. Unfortunately, the incident occurred just one day prior to my scheduled hair wash, and I have to wait until Thursday, February 12th, for the staples to be removed. As a result, my hair has become quite greasy, and I’ve been trying to manage it gently using a boar bristle brush to distribute the oil down my hair. However, with my hair being short, it still appears excessively oily. This past week has been quite challenging, and I feel self-conscious about my appearance for school. Is there any advice or solutions you could offer?

WellnessLifestyle ChangesFamily Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Concerns About My Scoliosis

I've been wondering about a potential scoliosis diagnosis. How serious is this condition? Will it impact my growth in terms of height? Is there a possibility for treatment? What options are available to address this issue?

AgingWellnessFamily Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago

Seeking Guidance on Health Concerns

At 21 years old, I identify as transgender female and have yet to begin hormone therapy. My health issues began about seven years ago with a swollen lymph node in my neck that wasn't accompanied by pain. After consulting a physician, I was reassured that it was merely a swollen lymph node, leading me to dismiss my concerns at the time. Over the years, I've noticed additional lymph nodes appearing, and while their sizes have fluctuated, I didn't think it warranted further attention. Recently, however, I have been experiencing more troubling symptoms. Eating has become a challenge due to nausea, and I find myself feeling full much sooner than normal. Additionally, I struggle with insomnia, waking up soaked in sweat multiple times each night. My overall energy levels have been declining gradually as well. With these developments, I've started to worry that lymphoma could be a possibility. This thought feels daunting, especially considering my age and the absence of any family history related to the condition. I'm uncertain about whether I should seek medical advice and what specific concerns I should bring up during a visit to the doctor.

WellnessFamily MedicinePreventive Medicine
Male25-34
2 hours ago