Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Any medics around? UTI urinalysis query

54 replies

ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 19:51

I came down with uti symptoms yesterday and started antibiotics last night as I always have some in the cupboard. My urinalysis sticks were out of date so I didn’t have any to test my sample. I didn’t think to keep any urine, but ordered more sticks.

I’ve taken 2 tablets (100mg nitro) and feeling no better which is unusual for me so I was worried that I don’t have a uti at all and maybe it’s thrush (as also feeling a bit tingly in the vagina area)

I have just dipped my urine and it’s negative except for blood. So leukocytes and nitrates are negative when reading at the appropriate time. The stick dries down to positive for leukocytes though but it’s outside the 90-120 second time period. It also dries down speckled rather than a solid colour (like non-haem RBC) which I’ve never seen before.

does this mean I don’t have a uti, or that I do but the antibiotics are working?

yesterday urine was cloudy with bits floating in it, today it’s clear but bright yellow thanks to the nitro.

as I say there’s no symptom improvement, I’m still really uncomfortable and was planning on using a canesten pessary this evening as I’d kind of told myself it couldn’t be a uti as antibiotics aren’t doing anything and usually I get some kind of relief within hours of my first dose. I literally want to rip out my bladder and remove my vulva at the moment 😩 and going on a work course first thing tomorrow morning and feeling utterly miserable

OP posts:
MsCactus · 05/05/2025 20:56

Destiny123 · 05/05/2025 20:46

Impossible to say now you've started to partially treat an unknown entity, hence why we don't advise self medication in a world of antibiotic resistance

You aren't going to get symptom relief from one dose, we advise 48h to start to notice an improvement

Call in sick, go see your gp (not my forte I'm now an anaesthetist but that's from my medical days knowledge

Show quote history

It's standard practice for people with recurrent UTIs to have a repeat script of antibiotics & start treating themselves at the onset of symptoms without seeing a doctor every time - lots of urologists prescribe this.

MsCactus · 05/05/2025 20:54

Hello. Fellow recurrent UTI sufferer here! The dipstick tests are not a reliable way to test for infection - your bladder can be inflamed (showing positive for leukocytes) without an infection. And both nitrates and leukocytes could be negative and you still have an infection, it just hasn't been picked up.

Saying that, the bacteria that cause infections release nitrates, so if you're positive for nitrates you definitely have a UTI.

Soo... I would ignore what the dipstick says and go off your symptoms.

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:52

@Edenmum2 maybe RTFT.

thaegumathteth · 05/05/2025 20:52

LOADS of people keep left over antibiotics and take them as they’d really fit.

TheGrimSmile · 05/05/2025 20:51

Dipsticks are useless. You may have become resistant to nitrofurantoin or the bacteria causing the infection may be different to the usual bacteria. You might need different antibiotics. In my experience it's a matter of trial and error with them.

Edenmum2 · 05/05/2025 20:51

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:14

You asked for opinions from people with some medical knowledge… can’t really blame me for giving you a stock answer if you’re going to drip-feed the Hx of complex UTI.

Why else would she have stock in her cupboard? It doesn’t take a genius

thaegumathteth · 05/05/2025 20:49

If you’re getting frequent UTIs you should ask for a urology referral and hiprex prescription

Destiny123 · 05/05/2025 20:46

ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 19:51

I came down with uti symptoms yesterday and started antibiotics last night as I always have some in the cupboard. My urinalysis sticks were out of date so I didn’t have any to test my sample. I didn’t think to keep any urine, but ordered more sticks.

I’ve taken 2 tablets (100mg nitro) and feeling no better which is unusual for me so I was worried that I don’t have a uti at all and maybe it’s thrush (as also feeling a bit tingly in the vagina area)

I have just dipped my urine and it’s negative except for blood. So leukocytes and nitrates are negative when reading at the appropriate time. The stick dries down to positive for leukocytes though but it’s outside the 90-120 second time period. It also dries down speckled rather than a solid colour (like non-haem RBC) which I’ve never seen before.

does this mean I don’t have a uti, or that I do but the antibiotics are working?

yesterday urine was cloudy with bits floating in it, today it’s clear but bright yellow thanks to the nitro.

as I say there’s no symptom improvement, I’m still really uncomfortable and was planning on using a canesten pessary this evening as I’d kind of told myself it couldn’t be a uti as antibiotics aren’t doing anything and usually I get some kind of relief within hours of my first dose. I literally want to rip out my bladder and remove my vulva at the moment 😩 and going on a work course first thing tomorrow morning and feeling utterly miserable

Impossible to say now you've started to partially treat an unknown entity, hence why we don't advise self medication in a world of antibiotic resistance

You aren't going to get symptom relief from one dose, we advise 48h to start to notice an improvement

Call in sick, go see your gp (not my forte I'm now an anaesthetist but that's from my medical days knowledge

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:46

I don’t know @ItsOoooon sorry. Hope you feel better soon.

Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:44

@HateHorridHenry ive never heard of a recurrent uti be called a complex uti before, that’s interesting.

how about when it is read within the time limit? Which is negative except for RBCs.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:41

@thaegumathteth yes, positive for e-coli usually but not often sent off (usually just self test and treat, I only go in if I don’t have antibiotics on standby like if I have 2 close together). Last appointment there was talk of prophylaxis but I don’t like taking antibiotics as it is let alone ‘just in case’. I’ve never heard of it, I’ll look it up!

OP posts:
loulouljh · 05/05/2025 20:37

I am in a similar position with frequent UTIs and always have antibiotics to hand to cover the weekend scenario. I have though recently seen a homeopathic expert and am having some success with whats been prescribed. Worth a try (have also noted hiprex).

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:36

Lougle · 05/05/2025 20:22

The reason pharmacies have posters asking people to return antibiotics if they aren't needed is because people don't complete a course, then stash the remainder in their cupboard. Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics just in case "It's probably viral, but I'll prescribe you some antibiotics. If the fever/symptoms haven't started to improve in 3 days, take the antibiotics." You obviously have a complete course, prescribed in readiness, but it isn't the norm, so the assumption was that you had some antibiotics left from another treatment/not started.

Show quote history

Thank you for explaining this so eloquently. I’ve also heard tales of people buying ABx abroad (Egypt for example) and bringing them back to the UK

thaegumathteth · 05/05/2025 20:30

Yeah urinalysis sticks are basically not that great. They are better though at ruling out infection than the opposite. Does anything ever grow in the lab?

Have you tried Hiprex? It’s a game changer.

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:27

Recurrent UTIs are considered complex UTIs. I am not a doctor but I do have some medical knowledge of UTIs and antibiotic stewardship.

With regard to your question, the results are invalid as read outside of the time limit. Therefore no one can advise you whether or not it’s because of the ABx use.

Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:27

@thaegumathteth dipsticks have always picked them up for me in the past, I wasn’t aware of any issues? It’s a 3 day course, so I’ve now had half (3 of the 6 pills).

I use d mannose but only after intercourse as that’s my usual trigger. Not this time!

nitro has always worked in the past, I’ve never had trim.

@Lougle ah that makes sense. My GP is very good and doesn’t prescribe antibiotics unless necessary. I always finish my course - I have health anxiety so the thought of having antibiotic resistance terrifies me! I hate how often I need to take the buggers, every time I get a uti I worry that this one will be resistant / will turn into a chronic embedded uti.

OP posts:
thaegumathteth · 05/05/2025 20:22

Oh and also nitro never works for me, need trimethoprim but obviously that’s maybe different for you

Lougle · 05/05/2025 20:22

ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:19

@Lougle how else do you get antibiotics if not prescribed by a doctor? Confused apologies for not making myself clear in the OP.

these dipsticks aren’t out of date, I threw the old ones away. These are new, freshly opened this evening.

The reason pharmacies have posters asking people to return antibiotics if they aren't needed is because people don't complete a course, then stash the remainder in their cupboard. Doctors sometimes prescribe antibiotics just in case "It's probably viral, but I'll prescribe you some antibiotics. If the fever/symptoms haven't started to improve in 3 days, take the antibiotics." You obviously have a complete course, prescribed in readiness, but it isn't the norm, so the assumption was that you had some antibiotics left from another treatment/not started.

thaegumathteth · 05/05/2025 20:20

Tbh if you have frequent UTIs I’m surprised you aren’t aware how useless dipsticks are at picking up infection. Can you take the canesten when on antibiotics? If so do that. Otherwise continue the AB. Do you usually have a 3 or 7 day course?

Do you use d mannose or hiprex? Both worth considering long term if not (with high dose vit c if hiprex)

Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:19

@ooohsopink thank you. Not pregnant, breastfeeding or over 40 x

OP posts:
Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:19

@Lougle how else do you get antibiotics if not prescribed by a doctor? Confused apologies for not making myself clear in the OP.

these dipsticks aren’t out of date, I threw the old ones away. These are new, freshly opened this evening.

OP posts:
Original poster
ItsOoooon · 05/05/2025 20:17

Why are you talking about a complex uti like you have any idea what you’re talking about? Are you a medical professional? If so why not answer my actual question?

I do not have symptoms of a complex uti - which fyi are kidney pain, lower back pain, chills, fever. If I did I’d call 111.

blood in the urine is common with uncomplicated UTIs. I am not concerned about this. I am asking about the leukocytes and nitrates reading negative after 2 doses of antibiotics.

OP posts:
ooohsopink · 05/05/2025 20:16

If you are breastfeeding, or on certain types of oral contraception, or taking aromatase inhibitors, or in your 40s, this could be vaginal atrophy - which can happen when your natural oestrogen levels drop. The hormone decrease affects your urinary tract/bladder as well as the vagina. See your GP - if you do have VA, it won't get better and could get worse. If it is this condition, then you will need vaginal oestrogen.

Lougle · 05/05/2025 20:15

To be fair to @HateHorridHenry it did sound like @ItsOoooon was saying she always has some Antibiotics in the cupboard as a 'random stash' affair, rather than GP prescribed.

@ItsOoooon I think it's hard to tell with out of date dipsticks. Now you've started the course you need to continue anyway, or you'll build up resistance.

HateHorridHenry · 05/05/2025 20:14

You asked for opinions from people with some medical knowledge… can’t really blame me for giving you a stock answer if you’re going to drip-feed the Hx of complex UTI.

Swipe left for the next trending thread