Anyone know what LEU ++++ means?

[looneytune]

Following on from my thread about the nasty UTI I have that is resistant to all but one drug, I've now had a nice long chat with my Dr at my ante-natal check.

She did a screen print for me showing one of the Microbiology reports so that I could see what the name of the germ is that I have. I noticed on the screen behind this it shows today's details from the check up. Part of it said:

Urine Protein test nil, still has resistant UTI leu ++++ now on day 2 of ciproflox.

I feel I pretty much have a clear picture of what's going on now, just wondered if anyone knew what the leu ++++ bit means?

TIA

leucocytes. They are white blood cells that your body produces against infection.

Apparently leucocytes can also oddur in urine during pregnancy even if there is no infection, as my doctor told me last week (I also have leucocytes in urine)

++++ means the amount detected I think - so ++++ would be quite a few - I think it goes trace then +, ++ etc. I had ++++ when I had Thrush in pregnancy

occur not oddur!

Thanks everyone

Belgo - I deffo have a nasty infection, long story but another thread about it as it's a bit of a mess up at the Drs plus I had to go on medication they don't normally prescribe in pregnancy due to the nature of it.

As for the ++++ bit, does this mean that the more +'s the better as it's about my body fighting it? Have I got that right?

I don't know loonytune, sorry!

Good luck with getting the treatment you need.

Thanks

bump

The more +s the more likely it is that you have a good-going infection.

You can't draw any conclusions as to how well your body is fighting infection with the number of +s.

Not sure...I had high Leucocytes level just a few weeks ago while I had raging thrush. Finally got a prescription for chlomitrazole or whatever it is (How humiliating to be told by the smug pharmacist to be told he wouldn't sell me any Canesten as I am pregnant and my thrush could be symptomatic of un-diagnosed diabetes...GRRRRRRR, I have no diabetes you idiot but I can barely walk for the itching!!!!!) Anyway, when the thrush had cleared up the leucocyte level was back down low. Even with high leucocytes, I was not actually able to fight the infection myself. I guess it may take different times for different people to clear the microbes.

Thanks. When you say a good-going does this mean as in it's been around a while? If so, that does make sense as this has been with me since 15th March at the earliest.

Fingers crossed it's all clear next week anyway. Thanks for your help again

Woolley - I have a bit of thrush and had thrush ++ when at hospital back in March and they gave me Canesten Once to take home and I'm pregnant!! Unless you're not as far gone, I know they don't like it in early pregnancy. Unfortunately the thrush went for about 3 days then came back again but I'm not bothering to treat it again til finished these tablets as been told that they can possibly cause thrush anyway so best to wait.

What I mean by good-going is that your urine contains a significant number of bacteria, which can mean it has been around a while and your body has been trying its hardest to fight it off (unsuccessfully!).

Cheers for confirming, well fingers crossed these tablets will shift it then Bloody better do after the worry about having something I shouldn't really have in pregnancy!!!

Can I ask another question....i'm having a blood test to check my kidneys haven't been damaged at all as a result of this. I presume this is pretty unlikely or is it really hard to say?

Every kidney infection damages the kidneys in some way. They will do some tests. Don't worry, it's standard procedure.

But this is a Urine infection, not a kidney infection - isn't it?

Not worried, just curious really as wasn't sure what it all meant (suppose just remembering what boss Dr said when he phoned me yesterday about renal failure blabla)

Urine is made in the kidneys, then goes into the bladder via a tube. Renal is the term for the kidneys, urinary tract, bladder, urethra . If the pain is in your back then it's more then likely a kidney infection or a urinary tract infection (urinary tract is the tubes which go from the kidneys to the bladder).

The urinary tract includes your kidneys and bladder, so your infection could originate from either.

It is more likely to be your bladder, as kidney infections tend to be extremely painful. There is no truth in the statement that 'every kidney infection damages the kidneys in someway'. The blood test is probably to check U&E (urea and electrolytes) which is a standard way of looking at kidney function.

Don't worry!

Thanks ladies

They are calling it a UTI so I thought that was bladder? Anyway, not worrying too much. Yes, the pain was so bad that it felt like one continuous contraction which is why I went into hospital last week however that pain has definitely died down so fingers crossed all is ok. I'll see what the bloods come back like and fingers crossed will all be clear

Thanks again!

You're welcome.

I'll read up on renal problems, I've probably misheard the bit about the scaring.

Every UTI has the potential to cause scarring, but it is the exception not the rule.

Thankyou. It's probably what they said and I misenterpreted it.

Sorry I disappeared. Thanks for all your help tonight

You are welcome.