GP has sent urine sample off to lab as dipstick abnormal - terrified!!

[Worridoncemore]

I dropped a urine sample to the GP this morning to be dipped as a previous dipstick had shown traces of blood. My period was due so they thought it likely that but wanted to repeat to be sure. This time I am nowhere near period.

They've just told me sample has been sent off to lab as shown "something". In my panic I didn't think to ask the receptionist what the "something" was (probably wouldn't have told me anyway) but assuming blood again.

They were a bit vague about when they'd get results but said they'd only call if the results showed something so I could make appointment with GP. If clear, they wouldn't call. They said I could call back in a few days to check if results were in if I wished.

I have health anxiety and am absolutely spiralling. I've had a number of investigations for various things so far this year, all negative but very stressful to go through. I'm now terrified that this time something is actually wrong - bladder cancer being my biggest fear. I'm over 50 so not too young. I have no symptoms of a UTI.

Thanks for reading. If anyone has any advice I'd really appreciate it.

Thank you x

You still have periods at 50?

I don't think you have any reason to be terrified.

If there is anything wrong they will contact you, most likely it will be fine.

Do you have any help for your anxiety?

Uti is the most common thing. You don’t always have symptoms.

so urine sticks will look for stuff like leukocytes, nitrites, blood which can all indicate a uti, so send off to the lab to culture it.

urine sticks also show up ketones and glucose which could indicate diabetes but the GP would have you in for a blood test if they suspected that. Sending off to the lab wouldn’t be helpful.

Bladder cancer wouldn’t show up on a urine dip.

They will only be testing it for bacteria in the lab as far as I know, to test for infection. Which would generally be easily treatable with antibiotics if there is one.

There's nothing to indicate anything sinister at all.

You can have uti with no symptoms- a sample Is normally sent to see which antibiotics are the best to clear it. It is very unlikely to have been sent for any other reason.

Saying ‘to see if there’s something in it’ will definitely only mean a bacterial infection. Please please don’t worry about this .

At 54 I still have a monthly period

Is this not normal?

I'm horrendously overweight and diabetic but not in least menopausal

@Hellhaven I don't know, that's why I asked! I suppose there is no normal, just individual experience.

I read a thread last week and most women on there were saying their periods stopped at between 41-45.

I am early 40s so it's interesting to hear others experiences.

You still have periods at 50?

Unfortunately so, but increasingly erratic so hopefully not for too much longer. Definitely perimenopausal. I recently had a clear CT scan which included pelvic area so was hopeful that would've shown any issues with bladder/kidneys. Unfortunately, GP said not necessarily which is why she wanted to re-check urine. Really thought it would come back clear so I could move on but not to be. I am starting CBT next week so will really need it if it turns out I need to go through the anxiety of yet more tests and waiting for results....

Errr well yes it would. Bladder and renal cancers are the biggest concerns with blood on a dip. They're rare, especially in non smokers, and much much more likely that this is a UTI or something like that but absolutely the more serious causes would show up on a dip.

I have UTIs with no symptoms. Not even a bit of burning when I wee so it's probably that.

They will only be testing it for bacteria in the lab as far as I know, to test for infection. Which would generally be easily treatable with antibiotics if there is one.
But if not, presume it'll mean more tests, especially given my age. Praying for infection , weirdly.

What I meant was there is no specific “bladder cancer marker” which shows up.

its not like a CA125 test.

oP said she has no symptoms. Blood in a urine dipstick is far more likely to be asymptomatic UTI.

It’s most likely going to be an infection

they'll send it off to test which one it is

thats the most likely thing. I wouldn’t worry about bladder cancers especially with a clear scan recently

Errr well yes it would. Bladder and renal cancers are the biggest concerns with blood on a dip. They're rare, especially in non smokers, and much much more likely that this is a UTI or something like that but absolutely the more serious causes would show up on a dip.

That was my understanding, hence my fear. I'm a non-smoker so have that in my favour.

Hmmm, actually I’ve had a chronic UTI for years and it never grows anything in the lab. So I’m positive for leukocytes, blood, etc on a dipstick. Doesn’t culture anything, so lab (and GP) said no infection.

i dug my feet in and got referred to a specialist who looks At fresh urine under a microscope and sure enough I have an infection. I did have/do have symptoms though and I do respond to antibiotics as well which means at least now my Gp believes me!

Might not even be an infection

the stick could of down infection then nothing on the sample. Easily done and I’ve seen that lots.

Anyway, try not to worry. They’re investigating, hopefully you get results back before the weekend and you just need abx. But even if your sample doesn’t culture it doesn’t mean it’s something sinister.

I think it would be quite rare for periods to stop between 41-45. More erratic with symptoms of peri-menopause is more likely.

Bladder cancers showing up on a dip is incredibly rare causes for blood

PLUS you’ve had a clear scan! Please let this put your mind at rest 100% for bladder cancer

I have UTIs with no symptoms. Not even a bit of burning when I wee so it's probably that.

So what made you have a urine test which revealed UTIs? Mine was done as routine when I was at a&e for something else. (Can of worms).

Menopause is usually between 45-55. Stopping periods before 45 counts as early menopause so definitely not usual.

I've never had clear urine tests back within a fortnight. When I've had a it it's taken 3/4 days.

My mum who they suspected was seriously ill had a test at 4pm Xmas Eve and was called into hospital at 11.30pm the same day.

What I'm saying is that they prioritise the tests that they think really need doing. If you don't hear anything today it's highly unlikely that you're seriously ill.

So what made you have a urine test which revealed UTIs?

I have to have routine health checks due to my disabilities. And also when I was pregnant with DD I had a UTI every trimester which I didn't know I had until the urine test picked it up.

No, if it's clear, it's clear and no more tests needed.
Unless you have other symptoms, but if it was just to test if the previous blood is cleared or for infection, then no more tests should be needed.