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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think the nurse is wrong and it’s not a normal urine sample?!

86 replies

Gggapp · 11/06/2025 17:46

Nurse did a dipstick into a urine sample while at the GP surgery. She said it showed white blood cells so would be sent off for testing.

She said this is probably normal?! Surely white blood cells equal infection?

OP posts:
ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary · 11/06/2025 19:31

Birdseyetrifle · 11/06/2025 19:20

Why was your urine sample dipped?

I would prescribe antibiotics to someone who only had white cells in their urine. It’s normal for a lot of urine samples to have this. You’ve got white blood cells all over your vagina and they get caught as you pass urine and go into the sample.

You sound quite unhinged tbh.
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them is a really stupid idea!

I really hope you’re not a prescriber with that level of empathy

wordywitch · 11/06/2025 19:29

Unnecessary antibiotic use is a very serious problem hence why they won’t prescribe them in the absence of a positive test or with symptoms to warrant them. As you’ve not said what makes you think you have an infection it’s hard to give accurate advice but demanding antibiotics just because you’re stressed about an interview isn’t really a valid reason for an HCP.

Anzena · 11/06/2025 19:25

What are your symptoms? Many have asked, but you haven't said - yet.

babystarsandmoon · 11/06/2025 19:24

You don’t need to see a nurse for a UTI.

I walked into a pharmacy yesterday and 10 minutes later I had a prescription for antibiotics in my hand.

They said they didn’t need to test either. I just told him my symptoms and he sorted it for me straight away.

Greybeardy · 11/06/2025 19:22

OP it all comes down to symptoms. There are a lot of reasons white cells might be present in urine and clinical judgement is important in deciding what the most likely cause is. PP linked the flow chart that a pharmacist would use to decide re prescribing antibiotics - it's really not that hard to follow.

Birdseyetrifle · 11/06/2025 19:20

Why was your urine sample dipped?

I would prescribe antibiotics to someone who only had white cells in their urine. It’s normal for a lot of urine samples to have this. You’ve got white blood cells all over your vagina and they get caught as you pass urine and go into the sample.

You sound quite unhinged tbh.
Taking antibiotics when you don’t need them is a really stupid idea!

ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary · 11/06/2025 19:16

Things like kidney stones. Any sort of inflammation in the urinary tract

Original poster
Gggapp · 11/06/2025 19:15

ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary · 11/06/2025 19:08

Hi, I’m a UTI veteran and also vaguely medical. White blood cells indicate inflammation. This can be from an infection but also caused by other things. UTI often dips positive for other things as well as white blood cells, but not always. If you have UTI symptoms, you can ask for treatment regardless.

@ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary thanks. What other things would cause it? I am going to go to the pharmacy tomorrow and then if no joy there just go back to them on Friday at the GP. So stressful!

OP posts:
ChristmaslightsuptilJanuary · 11/06/2025 19:08

Hi, I’m a UTI veteran and also vaguely medical. White blood cells indicate inflammation. This can be from an infection but also caused by other things. UTI often dips positive for other things as well as white blood cells, but not always. If you have UTI symptoms, you can ask for treatment regardless.

UpUpUpU · 11/06/2025 19:07

If you have symptoms of a uti then visit the pharmacy who can prescribe antibiotics.

If you don’t, then drink plenty of water and relax.

soupyspoon · 11/06/2025 18:59

You havent said what the symptoms are, why did she suggest the test in the first place?

What is the relevance of the interview?

PeckyGoose · 11/06/2025 18:57

Taking antibiotics when you don't actually need them is a pretty bad idea, hence why it's been sent off to check.

ArtistOfTheFloatingWorld · 11/06/2025 18:56

Do you have any symptoms? Or are you wanting antibiotics in case you do get them?

JLou08 · 11/06/2025 18:53

She's sending it off for testing. What's the issue?

FigurativelyDying · 11/06/2025 18:50

Gggapp · 11/06/2025 18:36

@FigurativelyDying thanks, won’t that be passed to my GP practice though

Show quote history

Yes, I think so. I know they ask who your doctor is, so I think they must notify them about the prescription. Would that be a problem though? If you need the antibiotics anyway?

Original poster
Gggapp · 11/06/2025 18:36

FigurativelyDying · 11/06/2025 18:32

Pharmacists are now allowed to prescribe a short course of antibiotics for a UTI. Go in to a pharmacy, ask to speak to the pharmacist because you think you have a UTI. They will assess your symptoms and prescribe as necessary.

@FigurativelyDying thanks, won’t that be passed to my GP practice though

OP posts:
FigurativelyDying · 11/06/2025 18:32

Pharmacists are now allowed to prescribe a short course of antibiotics for a UTI. Go in to a pharmacy, ask to speak to the pharmacist because you think you have a UTI. They will assess your symptoms and prescribe as necessary.

Original poster
Gggapp · 11/06/2025 18:25

Wafflemeister · 11/06/2025 18:16

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/
https://cutic.co.uk/what-is-chronic-uti/urine-testing/

@Wafflemeister thank you. I asked for a prescription for over the weekend and she said they didn’t do that anymore! It’s just frustrating as I’m not wanting to take antibiotics I just need to be able to focus on other things the next few days rather than faffing around booking more appointments - easier to have the prescription to hand. Does this guidance mean they have to or they can choose to? I wonder if they will argue their practice doesn’t do that

OP posts:
Wafflemeister · 11/06/2025 18:17

If you get no luck you maybe be able to get antibiotics from an online pharmacy.

QueenCremant · 11/06/2025 18:17

What symptoms do you have? Sometimes self care such as drinking lots of water will flush away any irritation. You do not necessarily need antibiotics depending on symptoms.

White cells are not necessarily indicative of infection. On dip an infection is often detected by nitrites but not all sticks test for it.

AnnaMagnani · 11/06/2025 18:16

This is an easy flow chart to follow if you are female and between 16-64 - note none of the steps are check a urine dipstick.

The flow chart is different for over 64, but again is based on symptoms not dipsticks.

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PRN00936_ii_Pharmacy-First-Clinical-Pathways-v.1.6.pdf

https://www.england.nhs.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/PRN00936_ii_Pharmacy-First-Clinical-Pathways-v.1.6.pdf

Original poster
Gggapp · 11/06/2025 18:07

Wafflemeister · 11/06/2025 18:05

Urine dipsticks are notoriously in accurate anyway. If you have symptoms they should be treating you for a uti regardless of what the dipstick shows. That is the current NHS guidelines but alot if clinicians are not up to date.
Interestingly I was also told a have a normal dipstick results but when I requested my records it showed blood which is not normal. I ended up with a chronic embedded uti because of this. Don't be fobbed off.

@Wafflemeister thanks so much. Don’t suppose you know the link to the guidelines so I can contact them and ask for treatment. I have a huge interview on Monday and feel incredibly stressed about this

OP posts:
Wafflemeister · 11/06/2025 18:05

Urine dipsticks are notoriously in accurate anyway. If you have symptoms they should be treating you for a uti regardless of what the dipstick shows. That is the current NHS guidelines but alot if clinicians are not up to date.
Interestingly I was also told a have a normal dipstick results but when I requested my records it showed blood which is not normal. I ended up with a chronic embedded uti because of this. Don't be fobbed off.

Original poster
Gggapp · 11/06/2025 18:04

I’m concerned as due to have an interview on Monday morning but the result won’t come back until Tuesday apparently. I would have liked the antibiotics in case

OP posts: