· Learn what leukocytes(white blood cells) in urine mean and how they are measured. Find out the causes and symptoms of pyuria (high leukocytes in urine) and how to diagnose and treat it. High levels of leukocytes or white blood cells in your urine may indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney stones, a pelvic tumor, or another condition.
Understanding the Context
Treatment can depend on the cause.High leukocyte levels may show up during a complete blood cell (CBC) test or urinalysis, which is a urine test.High levels of white blood cells (WBCs) suggest you have inflammation somewhere in your urinary tract, which could indicate an infection.Here, find out what it means if tests show there are high levels of leukocytes in your urine.See full list on healthline.comLeukocytes are WBCs. The body produces them as part of the immune response to fight an infection or other unwanted invader. There are different types of WBC, such as neutrophils and basophils, but they all play a role in the immune system. When an infection or other unwanted presence occurs in a specific area, WBCs will move toward that area to defend it.
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Key Insights
For this reason, higher levels of leukocytes may be a sign of an infection. A blood test may detect high leukocyte levels in the bloodstream, but if problems arise around the urinary system, tests may also reveal high levels of leukocytes in urine.See full list on healthline.comHigh leukocyte levels in urine could be a sign of:•a urinary tract infection (UTI)•a kidney infection or kidney stones•an obstruction in the urinary tract or bladder•a tumor in the pelvic areaThere is a higher risk of a UTI during pregnancy. It’s important to seek treatment for UTIs during pregnancy because they can lead to complications.See full list on healthline.comUTI symptomsThe symptoms of a UTI include: •a frequent urge to urinate •a burning sensation when urinating •cloudy or pink-tinted urine •strong smelling urine •pelvic painSigns of an obstructionSymptoms of a blockage will depend on the location and type of obstruction. Pain is a common symptom of an obstruction. It may affect one or both sides of the abdomen.
Important Details
A blockage due to kidney stones may cause nausea, vomiting, and intense pain.See full list on healthline.comThere is a higher risk of a UTI among:•females in general, compared with males•people who are pregnant•males with an enlarged prostateSee full list on healthline.comIf you’re healthy, you can still have high leukocytes in your bloodstream and urine. •A typical range in blood is 4,500–11,000 WBCs per microliter (ml).•Levels of leukocytes in urine should be 10 WBC per high power field (WBC/HPF) or less.If your doctor suspects you have a UTI or kidney stones, they’ll likely ask you to provide a urine sample. They’ll test the sample for:•WBCs•red blood cellsSee full list on healthline.comTreatment will depend on the cause of high leukocyte levels. For a UTI, a doctor may recommend antibiotics and to drink plenty of water.
Final Thoughts
For an obstruction, they may suggest: •drinking plenty of water to flush out small kidney stones•a procedure using sound waves to break up kidney stones•a surgical procedure to remove a large stoneSee full list on healthline.comWith early diagnosis and prompt treatment, it is usually possible to resolve a UTI or kidney stones, although both can recur.A benign tumor may require surgery. See full list on healthline.comWays to prevent urinary tract issues include: •drinking plenty of fluid•wiping from front to back after using the bathroom•washing the genital area carefully before and after sex, and drying well after washing•peeing as soon as possible after sex•for people using incontinence pads, changing them frequentlySee full list on healthline.comCan you have leukocytes in urine but no UTI?It is possible to have leukocytes in urine if you have sterile pyuria, which occurs with certain autoimmune conditions and bladder cancer. Some medications can cause high levels of leukocytes in the urine, such as NSAIDs, steroids, PPIs, and some antibiotics.Do leukocytes in urine only mean UTI?High WBC levels in urine can be a sign of different types of infection, but it can also indicate a blockage of some sort, various health conditions, and the use of some medications.What can cause leukocytes in urine besides UTI?Other possible causes include a benign or cancerous tumor, kidney stones, TB, some STIs, autoimmune conditions such as SLE, and some forms of cancer. The use of various medications can also raise leukocyte levels in urine.See full list on healthline.com1 day ago · White blood cells in urine can indicate infections, medications, or other conditions of the urinary tract. Learn about the possible causes, symptoms, and how to test for white blood cells in urine with a leukocyte esterase test. 2 days ago · Pyuria with white blood cells and bacteria usually indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI).
Pyuria can cause urine to appear cloudy with a strong, foul-smelling odor. Possible causes... · High levels of leukocytes in the urine can mean more serious medical conditions, like inflammation or infection, that require medical attention. MediFind shares potential causes of high levels of leukocytes in urine below. Learn more about how MediFind works here. What causes high white blood cells in urine?Having high levels of white blood cells in urine without the presence of bacteria is called sterile pyuria. It’s been linked to various causes, such as tuberculosis (TB), some sexually transmitted infections (STIs), cystitis, bladder cancer, and autoimmune diseases like systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).What does white blood cells in urine mean?White blood cells in urine are a sign of inflammation and may mean there is an infection in the kidneys or urinary tract (bladder or urethra). 3 Urine tests (urinalysis) can detect and measure substances such as blood, cells (like white blood cells), sugar, bacteria, electrolytes, and proteins.What does a high WBC count in urine mean?Usually, high levels of white blood cells (WBC) in the blood indicate inflammation s omewhere in the body, and high WBC count in the urine points more specifically to the urinary tract. If your urinalysis shows a high level of leukocytes, a doctor may recommend other testing to determine the cause.How many white blood cells are present in urine?Even in healthy individuals, a small number of white blood cells can be present in urine. A normal range is 0 to 5 white blood cells per high-power field (WBCs/HPF), or less than 10,000 leukocytes per milliliter of urine. A urinalysis is the standard laboratory method used to detect and quantify these cells. · Even in healthy individuals, a small number of white blood cells can be present in urine. A normal range is 0 to 5 white blood cells per high-power field (WBCs/HPF), or less than 10,000 leukocytes per milliliter of urine. 1 day ago · White blood cells in urine can indicate infections, medications, or other conditions of the urinary tract. Learn about the possible causes, symptoms, and how to test for white blood cells in urine with a leukocyte esterase test. 2 days ago · Pyuria with white blood cells and bacteria usually indicates a urinary tract infection (UTI). Pyuria can cause urine to appear cloudy with a strong, foul-smelling odor. Possible causes... · High levels of leukocytes in the urine can mean more serious medical conditions, like inflammation or infection, that require medical attention. MediFind shares potential causes of high levels of leukocytes in urine below. Learn more about how MediFind works here. · Even in healthy individuals, a small number of white blood cells can be present in urine. A normal range is 0 to 5 white blood cells per high-power field (WBCs/HPF), or less than 10,000 leukocytes per milliliter of urine.
