The Significance of White Blood Cells in Urine

Have you ever provided a urine sample to your doctor during an annual checkup ? Did you wonder what tests the laboratory performs on urine samples and what the results indicate? A white blood cell count is one of those tests.

Function

White blood cells are part of the body's defense system against bacteria, viruses and other foreign elements.

Identification

Laboratory techs use a microscope to count white blood cells in urine sediments.

Significance

Normal white blood cell count in urine is low. The presence of a large number of white cells in urine -- knows as pyuria -- indicates an infection or inflammation in parts of the urinary tract system.

Symptoms

The presence of large numbers of white blood cells in a urine causes it to be cloudy with an unpleasant odor. Abdominal pain, fever and burning when urinating are symptoms that may accompany high white cells count in urine.

Considerations

The presence of a high number of white cells in urine may be due to contamination with vaginal secretions or other factors. Always follow the lab guidelines for urine specimen collection.

References

• The Franklin Institute: White Blood Cells
• Lab Tests Online: Urinalysis