White blood cells in the urine

When white blood cells in the urine are more common, it is called leukocyturia. This can be due to a variety of causes, but most of the time it is due to urinary tract infections such as the bladder (cystitis), the ureter (ureteritis), the urethra (urethritis) or the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis). However, tumors of the urinary tract, kidney diseases, infections and sex diseases can cause the leukocyturia. In addition to the number of leukocytes, additional laboratory data and symptoms are included to help uncover the cause of white blood cells in the urine.

Contents:
White blood cells in the urine
Synonyms
When are white blood cells in the urine morbid?
Urine strips rapid test
urinary sediment
Eiterharn
White blood cells in the urine and other symptoms
White blood cells and blood in the urine
White blood cells with and without bacteria
Pain and discomfort
Naturopathy with white blood cells in the urine

Synonyms

leucocyturia; Leukocytes in the urine; Granulocytes in the urine; pyuria; Eiterharn.

The urine in healthy people appears relatively bright and without residue. If protein residues become recognizable, this is an indication of existing fluctuations. (Image: oporkka / fotolia.com)

When are white blood cells in the urine morbid?

In medicine, there are certain values ​​that determine when white blood cells in the urine are considered pathological. On the other hand, a certain number of leukocytes in the urine should be regarded as normal, here we speak of normative values ​​or reference values. For different procedures, such as rapid urine strip test and urine sediment, different values ​​must be taken into account.

Urine strips rapid test

The standard value is a number of up to ten leucocytes, which is expressed in 1 μl (microliters, equivalent to one cubic millimeter mm 3?;) occur in the urine. If more than 10 white blood cells / μl of urine are detected with the urine strip rapid test, it is assumed that the condition is abnormal. In this, also called Sticktest procedures a test strip is briefly dipped in the urine. The increased occurrence of leukocytes is indicated by discoloration of the corresponding test field.

urinary sediment

By centrifuging the urine, the solid components form the so-called urine sediment, which is then examined microscopically. If more than 5 white blood cells per visual field are to be seen in the urine sediment, a pathological process based on its origin is also assumed. Red blood cells, bacteria, crystals, yeasts and even cells from the urinary bladder and kidney tissue are still visible in the urine sediment. These solid components are found in normal urine only in very small amounts and help with the diagnosis. Cylinder cells, for example, are an indication of an inflammatory event in the kidney tissue.

Eiterharn

Already visible to the naked eye is the pyuria, also called pus urine. In this case, there are so many white blood cells in the urine that the urine appears cloudy-cloudy and with misty streaks. In addition, the smell of purulent urine is often described as "spicy" or "disgusting". There is often a severe urinary tract infection behind a pyuria (for example, cystitis, pyelonephritis, or nephritis)..

White blood cells in the urine and other symptoms

In order to find out which morbid process is behind an increased occurrence of leukocytes, the examiner adds further symptoms that illuminate the cause. The lab is looking for blood and other cells as well as bacteria or other germs. In addition, symptoms described by the person concerned, e.g. Discomfort when urinating or flank pain. Likewise, the appearance and smell of the urine can provide valuable information on any existing diseases.

White blood cells and blood in the urine

White blood cells can coexist with blood in the urine (hematuria). Depending on whether this blood is visible to the naked eye or only under the microscope, it is used as macro- or microhematuria for diagnosing. If blood and white blood cells in the urine together, is very likely to inflammation of the bladder, renal pelvis or kidneys. Kidney tuberculosis is also possible. In the absence of bacteria, kidney stones and tumors of the urinary tract and kidneys should be excluded.

White blood cells with and without bacteria

White blood cells in the urine can occur with or without bacteria. In the urine strip rapid test, increased levels of nitrite indicate bacteria that can be more accurately determined in a doctor-made urine culture, but today more often with a dip medium, to initiate appropriate therapy.

If leukocytes and bacteria are present in the urine at the same time, inflammation of the upper and lower urinary tract (bladder, urethra, ureter, renal pelvis) or kidney tuberculosis or the gonorrhea (gonorrhea), which is the cause of gonococcal infection, should be considered lies.

Intestinal bacteria, in particular Escherichia coli, are most frequently found in urine, as these are due to the proximity of the area. in women from the intestine can enter the urinary tract. Also less common are unicellular organisms (Trichomonas), fungi (Candida yeasts), viruses (herpesviruses), and other microorganisms (Chlamydia et al.) In the urine.

If white blood cells in the urine, which are not associated with a bacteriuria, one speaks of an abacterial leukocyturia. This can occur in kidney and bladder tumors, in prostate inflammation, kidney damage, bladder and kidney stones.

Pain and other complaints

The reason for a presentation with a doctor or alternative practitioner is less often a cloudy-looking urine, but rather unpleasant side effects of the underlying disorder. For example, urinary tract infections often involve urinary symptoms, e.g. Pain, burning or the constant feeling of having to go to the toilet. Violent inflammation, especially of the renal pelvis (pyelonephritis), are often accompanied by fever, chills and reduced general condition.

Women are much more likely to be affected by inflammation of the urinary tract than men. The complaints do not differ significantly from each other. It should be noted that purulent discharge in men may indicate gonorrhea, an infectious disease colloquially known as gonorrhea.

Pain is felt and described individually. However, abdominal pain, especially in the lower area, is more likely to suggest bladder infection, while back pain and flank pain raise suspicion of pyelonephritis and kidney disease.

Naturopathy with white blood cells in the urine

Although white blood cells in the urine can also be detected by smell and appearance (foul smelling, cloudy), as was customary in traditional Western medicine, from the natural healing practice, however, at least the Sticktest is indispensable today. Non-medical practitioners are concerned to recognize violent inflammation and infection and, if necessary, to refer a medical doctor, who then i.d.R. initiates a therapy with antibiotics. Easier and recurring inflammation can be addressed with herbal antibiotics (alternatives to antibiotics), various methods are also available to support the body's self-healing powers. For the treatment of the constitution or function of certain organ systems (e.g., kidney urinary tract), diagnostic methods such as iris diagnosis, traditional urinary gaze, diarrheal diagnosis or modern bioenergetic methods are used. (25.01.11, jvs)

1: Rainer Sturm