Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives NSD and diet-related; diet and sulfasalazine??

Hi Shauna,
I was simplifying things for the benefit of the non micro people.
We would also report Pm starting at 10 colonies but was thinking that in the context of supposed RA subclinical UTI that 1 colony Pm might be significant.
But we and you would just disregard that with "No significant growth" which conveniently for us could mean just about anything. Probably we avoid "Mixed growth" for reason you gave.
I often think that in some ways lack of Klebs in faeces when on NSD doesn't mean that much. Wouldn't expect to find Klebs in anyone on NSD! That doesn't exclude the probability that some component of the gut flora is being negatively effected by NSD, or even that something peculiar to starch itself is causing dimunition of symptoms.
The "arthritogenic peptide" molecular mimicry theory has gone in and out of fashion over the years. Currently the Klebsiella theory is NOT popular amongst the current researchers.

Regards David

I think we're pretty lucky having a bunch of lab techies on this site. I really appreciate your input into this stuff.

Hi Dave,

I had elevated platelet count (up to 531) while my hemoglobin was low at 108. I also had elevated leukocytes (+2) and RBC of 11-20. This was on top of very elevated CRP and ESR.

Can you help me understand this in more plain English and whether these abnormal readings would relate in any way to a Pm infection?

I would look at Wikipedia under the following headings
THROMBOCYTOSIS
This relates to an elevated platelet count (normal is 150-450) and often occurs in tandem with inflammation, which is consistent with a chronic inflammatory disease like RA.

Also look at
LEUKOCYTOSIS
meaning raised White cell or leukocyte count and subset of leukocytosis
NEUTROPHILIA
A raised White cell count commonly accompanies corticosteroid/prednisone use and is probably consistent with RA.
Heamoglobin of 108 is probably mild aneamia - again probably consistent with RA.

If trouble persists consult your General Practicioner (joke)

Cheers David
Believe me, I'm crap at haematology, never could stand the subject, particularly hated looking at blood films. I couldn't make a diagnosis to save my life!

Very helpful, David. Thanks!

Would the raised white cell count make it less likely that I have/had a Pm infection? I recall you saying in an earlier post that a lowered white cell count might go hand in hand with a Pm UTI.

By the way - all this is very helpful and I hope you don't mind me picking your professional brains like this!!

Hi Wendy
A raised WCC in urine might indicate Pm urinary tract infection.
A raised peripheral blood WCC in the setting of RA?
That's where the doctor shrugs his shoulders and doesn't answer the question.
Who knows? A component of high WCC could be due to an infection on top of the RA??
A good doctor never answers the question directly!

David

In my experience the doctor is helpful but the rheumys are not!

I agree,Wendy!