To ask what this means in urine test results

[Pred1cament]

Sample microscopy; red cells +/-
Doctor has writtten ‘normal for patient, no action required’ but it has a red exclamation mark next to it like it’s a warning. Tried to do an e consult to discuss but not currently accepting consultations 🤪 symptoms are frequent urination and some discomfort, as well as flank pain which comes and goes (sharp pain maybe once a day, which goes when I sit down or move to a different position). To be clear, I do have a private appointment with a consultant next week so am not just relying on mumsnet but any ideas would be appreciated!

Bump x

I'm not a medical professional but I think it means that the result may be slightly out of the normal range but it's normal for you, because your tendency is to be like that.
For example I have a regular full blood count test and one of the measurements is always a bit lower than the normal range, but it's always been like that so it can be disregarded.
I'd think yours is the same kind of thing.

I presume you're not on your period/immediately before or after? Finding red cells in a urine sample generally indicates that there's inflammation somewhere in the urinary tract. This can be anywhere from kidneys to bladder, or the tubes that connect them (ureters) or the tube from the bladder to the outside (urethra). So as you have consulted your doctor with urinary symptoms, this result "fits" your symptoms, and so,no extra action based on that as a single result, presuming no deterioration of your symptoms. You haven't mentioned any other results from the sample, so no way to judge a bigger picture on mumsnet!

Thanks both! Nothing else was noted, no bacteria so I think you’re right in that there must be some inflammation. The back pain combined with urine symptoms is just worrying me a bit but at least I am seeing a consultant next week. Thank you.