What do Leukocytes in Urine mean?

What are Leukocytes?

Leukocytes (white blood cells - WBC) are the cells of the immune system that protect the body against both infectious diseases and foreign invaders. When your body fights infection, your immune system triggers the production of white blood cells. Leukocyte esterase is an enzyme that is produced by leukocytes.

What does Leukocytes in Urine test mean?

A few white blood cells are normally present in urine and are generally not a cause of concern as they may not indicate an infection. High levels of WBCs in the urine typically suggest inflammation or infection. This occurs when the body tries to fight off an infection, typically in the urinary tract.

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When the number of WBCs in urine increases significantly, it could indicate possible inflammation or infection, for example, a urinary tract infection.

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The urinary tract is the body’s drainage system for removing urine. It comprises two kidneys, two ureters (thin tubes of muscle that connect your kidneys to your bladder), a bladder (a hollow, muscular, balloon-shaped organ that stores urine), and a urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and allows urine to exit the body during urination). Urinary tract infections typically occur in the bladder or the urethra. Leukocytes in the urine could also suggest a kidney infection (e.g., kidney stones), a tumor in the pelvis, or some other type of blockage in the urinary tract.

How to test Leukocytes in Urine?

A urine dipstick test (also known as urinalysis or a UA test) can be used to check urine leukocyte levels. A urine dipstick is a narrow plastic strip with one or more reagent pads. A leukocyte dipstick test can check the leukocyte levels in a urine sample. When dipped in the urine, the leukocyte reagent pad changes color in response to the level of leukocyte esterase in the urine. The color of the resulting pad is compared against the color key to interpret the results.

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The leukocyte esterase UA test is a simple, easy-to-perform, and quick way to determine signs of infections. The test can easily be performed at home, and the results are ready in two minutes.

Leukocyte reagent urine test strips typically pair with other reagent pads and can be purchased as a 2-parameter UTI test or a multiparameter 10-parameter urinalysis strips.

How to read Leukocytes in Urine dipstick test?

The urine dipstick test for Leukocytes should be read precisely at 2 minutes in good lighting. Note the color of the reagent pad and compare it with the color key provided by the manufacturer to interpret the results.

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Normal Range of Leukocytes

A few white blood cells are normally present in urine and yield a negative result.

The normal leukocyte count in urine is less than 5 cacells/HPF, in which case the leukocyte esterase dipstick test indicates a negative result (i.e., below traceable limits of 15 cacells/µL). A negative result is indicated by a white, off-white, or a light shade of cream color on the reagent pad. If you notice little to no change in the pad color after dipping in the urine specimen, it generally implies a negative result (i.e., normal leukocyte range).

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Positive Leukocytes in urine

If the pad color is no longer white/off-white and turns cream, brown, or a shade of purple, it indicates a positive result for leukocytes (high leukocyte levels in urine).

Trace Leukocytes in urine (15 cacells/µL) change the color of the reagent pad on the dipstick to a beige (light brown) color.

As the concentration of leukocytes increases in the urine, the pad color will change from cream to dark/bright shades of purple.

Small leukocyte levels (75 cacells/µL) are indicated by a light purple color on the reagent pad.

Moderate levels of leukocytes (125 cacells/µL) are indicated by the purple color of the reagent pad.

The maximum detectable level on a urine test strip is 500 cacells/µL of leukocytes, resulting in a dark purple color of the reagent pad.

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How to interpret results?

A positive test result for leukocytes in urine indicates a possible infection or inflammation in the body (particularly in the urinary tract). A combination of positive results for both Leukocytes and Nitrite in urine is a good indicator of urinary tract infections (UTI). A significant number of white blood cells in the urine and a positive nitrite test indicate bacteriuria (bacteria in urine) and a urinary tract infection. Women are at a greater risk for urinary tract infections and, therefore, are more likely to have leukocytes in their urine. Pregnant women have an even higher risk for UTIs. Men can develop these infections, too. Having an enlarged prostate, for example, raises the risk of UTIs in men. Anyone with a compromised immune system may also be at higher risk for infection.

You may also find positive leukocytes in urine before the onset of any physical symptoms of an infection. For example, scientific studies indicate that urine gets an influx of leukocyte esterase before any physical or noticeable signs of cold or other infections. A positive leukocyte test can also mean the body has not recovered from a previous workout and might require some rest.

So, keeping track of leukocytes is an excellent way to know about your health and body’s needs.

You can quickly check leukocyte levels in urine using the Urinox-10 urine test strips or the UTI test by Diagnox.