white and red blood cells in urine

[ardmore0263]

Hi and good morning. I recently had very bad cramps, and felt I had no energy. I went to the doctor and he took urine test where he saw some blood cells. He gave me something for the cramps and asked me to come back in a few days to give urine again to see if blood cells still there. I went back this morning and he said again there is a trace amount of white blood cells and red blood cells in my urine. He said he is not convinced I’m having a UTI and is sending urine to lab just to make sure.
Is it possible I could have a STD (Chlamydia or Ghonnera, or other)? What will be checked in the lab? Why else could there be blood cells in my urine.
Background: I’m 35 female living in China, trying for a baby, and recently started running.

Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Please re-read my original reply.  The presence of these cells is a non-specific finding.  While it could be an STD (or yeast which is not an STD, or due to many other  things) there are many other explanations. If you are concerned about STD, you should ask your doctor to test you.  EWH

[ardmore0263]

Thank you doctor for your response. I received the results of urine and I do not have a urinary tract infection. He asked me to call next week again to see if there is still trace of blood in urine. Could i still have an STD without UTI? Do you think it could be thrush/yeast? My abdominal pains/cramps are gone.
Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  The presence of white blood cells (WBCs) and red blood cells (RBCs) in the urine can be due to many, many different causes.  These causes can include STDs, urinary tract infection and other systemic infections. They can also be there from many things other than infection.  In fact, a common cause of the presence of cells in the urine is vigorous exercise and many runners have this finding.  If this is a concern, you doctor will do tests.  Testing should be based on your risks and the history you provide him/her.  

When urine is tested for infection it is tested for bacterial which cause urinary tract infection and typically the testing does not include testing for STDs which requires a different type of test.

I hope these comments address your questions. EWH