Do you have white blood cells in your urine? (Leukocytes) - Let's talk about this!

Have you ever had a urine test and seen a section called 'Leukocytes' or 'WBC' in the report? Perhaps your doctor has told you that there are a few extra white blood cells in your urine. So it's normal to feel a little scared and worried when you hear this. But don't worry. Most of the time, this is not a serious problem. Today, we'll talk about this in simple terms, why white blood cells in urine increase and what to do about it.

First, let's see, what are these white blood cells (Leukocytes)?

Simply put, white blood cells (leukocytes) are like the "soldiers" of our body. They are an important part of our immune system. When our body is exposed to something like a germ, an infection, or an allergy, these white blood cells come forward and fight those germs and protect us. So, having more than normal white blood cells in your urine is a sign that there is something wrong somewhere in your urinary tract, often an infection. A healthy person should have very few, if any, white blood cells in their urine. The normal range is 0-5 WBCs per HPF (High-Powered Field). This means that they should be very small enough to be visible under a microscope.

What are the main causes of increased white blood cells in urine?

There could be several reasons for this. Let's look at the main ones.

1. Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)

This is the most common and main cause . An infection occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract, which includes your kidneys, bladder , and urethra. Our body's "soldiers," or white blood cells, come to fight the bacteria. These cells are then flushed out with urine. Most women and men will get a urinary tract infection ( UTI ) at least once in their lives. Here are some of the symptoms:

• Burning or pain when urinating .
• Needing to urinate more often than usual.
• Urine that is dark in color or has a foul odor.
• Pain in the lower abdomen , back, or pelvis.
• Sometimes nausea and vomiting .

2. Kidney Stones

Kidney stones are small crystals that form when calcium and other minerals in our urine combine. They can range in size from the size of a pea to the size of a golf ball. Larger stones can block the flow of urine. This can also cause inflammation in the urinary system, which can lead to the presence of white blood cells in the urine.

Common symptoms of kidney stones

Sharp pain	Severe, sharp pain in the lower abdomen, flank, back, or groin area.
Blood in the urine	Red, pink, or brown urine.
Other features	Frequent need to urinate, pain during urination, and cloudy urine.

Small stones may dissolve on their own with plenty of water. If there are large stones, the doctor will prescribe appropriate treatment.

3. Inflammation of the urinary system

Even without an infection, white blood cells can be present in the urine due to inflammation in the urinary system. Interstitial nephritis (an inflammation of the kidneys) and cystitis (an inflammation of the bladder) are two such conditions. These can be caused by allergies, certain medications, or other illnesses.

4. Other reasons

Very rarely, an elevated white blood cell count can be a symptom of certain types of cancer (e.g., leukemia , lymphoma ). It can also be caused by some sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Can there be white blood cells in the urine without an infection?

Yes, it is possible. We call this condition Sterile Pyuria . This means that a urine test shows white blood cells but no bacterial infection is found. This can be caused by:

• Some sexually transmitted diseases , such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea .
• Viral infections (e.g. Herpes Simplex, HPV ).
• Long-term use of certain medications (e.g., painkillers called NSAIDs ).
• Any other disease of the urinary system.

Don't just assume and go for treatment. The most important thing is to see a doctor first and find out the exact cause.

Who is at higher risk for this? And how can it be prevented?

Although anyone can get this condition, women are at higher risk of developing urinary tract infections. Also, postmenopausal women and those over the age of 45 are at slightly higher risk. Here are some things you can do to help prevent it:

• Drink plenty of water: Drinking enough water throughout the day helps flush out bacteria in the urinary system.
• Stay clean: Especially for women, wipe from front to back when cleaning. This prevents bacteria from feces from entering the urinary tract.
• Sexual health: Urinating after sex helps wash away bacteria. Also, using a condom helps protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
• Don't hold your urine: When the urge to urinate comes, pass it quickly without holding it in.

When should you see a doctor?

Although the presence of white blood cells in the urine is usually not dangerous, you should definitely see a doctor if you have the following symptoms:

• If you have a fever and chills and are shivering.
• If you have severe pain in your lower abdomen, back, or pelvis.
• If there is blood in the urine.
• If you are feeling nauseous or vomiting.
• Symptoms include sudden weight loss, extreme fatigue, and night sweats.

If you experience difficulty breathing, chest pain, unstoppable bleeding, or sudden, severe back pain, go to the nearest Emergency Department (ETU) immediately.

Treatment depends on the cause of the high white blood cells in your urine. If it is a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be given. If it is kidney stones, there are separate treatments for that. Therefore, it is essential to seek the advice of a doctor rather than self-treating.

Take-Home Message

• An increase in white blood cells (Leukocytes/WBC) in a urine test is often a sign that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI).
• Although the main cause of this is a urinary tract infection, there can also be other causes, such as kidney stones and swelling in the urinary system.
• Don't panic when you see this. This is a condition that can often be easily cured.
• The most important thing is to see a doctor, find out the exact cause, and get appropriate treatment.
• Simple habits like drinking plenty of water and staying clean can help prevent urinary tract infections.

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