The clean-catch method is used to prevent germs from the penis or vagina from getting into a urine sample. To collect your urine, the health care provider may give you a special clean-catch kit that contains a cleansing solution and sterile wipes. Follow instructions exactly so that the results are accurate.
After you provide a urine sample, it is tested right away. The provider uses a dipstick made with a color-sensitive pad. The color of the dipstick changes to tell the provider if you have white blood cells in your urine. Leukocyte esterase is a screening test used to detect a substance that suggests there are white blood cells in the urine. This may mean you have a urinary tract infection.
An obstruction can result from a traumatic injury, kidney stones, tumors, or other foreign material. If urine accumulates in the bladder, the presence of bacteria increases the risk of an infection.
These are just a few of the common causes, but there are others. The following can also cause raised levels of leukocytes in the urine:. Leukocytes in the urine cause different symptoms for different people, but there are a few symptoms or signs that suggest leukocytes may be present in the urine.
One of the most visible signs is cloudy or foul-smelling urine. Other signs include frequent urination, a pain or burning sensation when passing urine, or the presence of blood in the urine. A urine analysis urinalysis is used to screen the urine for abnormalities and may be enough to detect any problems.
People who suspect leukocytes in the urine provide a urine sample that their doctor can analyze in three ways: Visual exam, dipstick test, and microscopic exam. If blood or other substances are present in the urine, the physician may perform more tests to identify the cause of the problem. The problem may be any of the conditions listed above or a more serious noninfectious illness, such as a blood disorder, autoimmune disease, or cancer. The doctor will order additional tests as needed.
It is possible to have white blood cells in the urine without a bacterial infection. Sterile pyuria refers to the persistent presence of white blood cells in the urine when no bacteria are found to be present by laboratory examination. Certain sexually transmitted diseases , viral or fungal infections, or even tuberculosis can cause sterile pyuria. Treatment for leukocytes in the urine depends on the cause and if there is an infection. For some conditions, such as a bacterial UTI, antibiotic therapy will clear up the infection relatively quickly.
What symptoms are associated with white blood cells in urine? This all depends on the health condition causing them to appear. Should a bladder infection be to blame, you may experience pain in your lower tummy, feel tired or unwell, or have a pain when you pass urine, explains Dr Brown. Kidney stones , another possible cause, can bring about similar symptoms, along with severe back pain, nausea, vomiting or fever. If you do have white blood cells in your urine, your doctor may ask you some questions to find out what has caused it, explains Dr Brown.
If they suspect an infection, they may prescribe you antibiotics and send a sample of urine away for culture and sensitivity to identify any microorganisms. They may prescribe antibiotics and send a sample of urine away for culture and sensitivity. These symptoms include:. Your health care provider will need to collect a sample of your urine. During your office visit, you will receive a container to collect the urine and special instructions to make sure that the sample is sterile.
These instructions are often called the "clean catch method. You don't need any special preparations before getting a test for blood in your urine. If your health care provider has ordered other urine or blood tests, you may need to fast not eat or drink for several hours before the test. Your health care provider will let you know if there are any special instructions to follow. There are a variety of factors that can cause red or white blood cells to be present in the urine.
Many are not cause for concern. Small amounts of blood in the urine may be due to certain medicines, intense exercise, sexual activity, or menstruation. If larger amounts of blood are found, your health care provider may request further testing.
Learn more about laboratory tests, reference ranges, and understanding results. A blood in urine test is usually part of a typical urinalysis.
In addition to checking for blood, a urinalysis measures other substances in the urine, including proteins, acid and sugar levels, cell fragments, and crystals.
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