High levels of leukocytes or white blood cells in your urine may indicate a urinary tract infection, kidney stones, pelvic tumor, or another condition. Treatment depends on the cause.
High leukocyte levels may show up during a complete blood cell (CBC) test or urinalysis, which is a urine test.
High levels of WBC in the blood indicate inflammation somewhere in the body, and high WBC count in the urine points more specifically to the urinary tract.
This article takes a closer look at leukocytes, what they are, what it means if you have high levels in your urine, and next steps.
Leukocytes are WBCs. The body produces them as part of the immune response to fight an infection or other unwanted invader.
There are
For this reason, higher levels of leukocytes may be a sign of an infection.
A blood test may detect high leukocyte levels in the bloodstream, but if problems arise around the urinary system, tests may also reveal high levels of leukocytes in urine.
High levels in urine could indicate an infection in the bladder or the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder. They could also be a sign of a kidney infection. But they can also stem from noninfectious causes, such as kidney stones.
High leukocyte levels in urine could be a sign of:
- a urinary tract infection (UTI)
- a kidney infection or kidney stones
- an obstruction in the urinary tract or bladder
- a tumor in the pelvic area
There is a higher risk of a UTI during pregnancy. It’s important to seek treatment for UTIs during pregnancy because they can lead to complications.
Holding in urine for too long can also increase the risk of a UTI. When urine remains too long in the bladder, bacteria can increase in number, which may lead to a bladder infection.
Some diseases can cause the bladder to not empty completely, which is more likely to cause a UTI in the stagnant urine in the bladder. This can be determined by measuring the post-void residual volume (PVR) with ultrasound. In this case, treating the infection alone is not enough — the underlying cause of the elevated PVR has to be treated as well.
Having a cancerous tumor or receiving treatment for a tumor in the pelvic area may also weaken the immune system, leading to a higher risk of infections and a higher number of leukocytes.
Having high levels of white blood cells in urine without the presence of bacteria is called
Some medications can also cause leukocyte levels to rise.
They include:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
- steroids
- proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole, which reduce stomach acid
- some antibiotics
If leukocytes are present in your urine, any symptoms will depend on the condition that is causing them to accumulate there.
UTI symptoms
The symptoms of a UTI include:
- a frequent urge to urinate
- a burning sensation when urinating
- cloudy or pink-tinted urine
- strong-smelling urine
- pelvic pain
Signs of an obstruction
Symptoms of a blockage will depend on the location and type of obstruction.
Blockages can occur in the lower tract, such as in the urethra or prostate, which can lead to retention of urine (elevated PVR), which is a frequent cause of UTI. Or the blockage can be upper tract, in the ureters or kidneys from stones, congenital blockages, or tumors.
Pain is a common symptom of an obstruction. It may affect one or both sides of the abdomen. A blockage due to kidney stones may cause nausea, vomiting, and intense pain.
Who is at risk for UTIs?
There’s a higher risk of a UTI among:
- females in general, compared with males
- people who are pregnant
- males with an enlarged prostate
- anyone with a compromised immune system
- those living with diabetes
If you’re healthy, you can still have high leukocytes in your bloodstream and urine. Leukocytosis in the bloodstream indicates that you have inflammation somewhere in your body. Leukocytosis in your urine indicates inflammation in the urinary tract.
- A typical range in blood is
4,500 to 11,000 WBCs per microliter (µl). - Levels of leukocytes in urine should be
10 WBC per high power field (WBC/HPF) or less.
If your doctor suspects you have a UTI or kidney stones, they’ll likely ask you to provide a urine sample. They’ll test the sample for:
- WBCs
- red blood cells
- bacteria
- other substances
If kidney stones are the cause, one may see crystals in the urine, which may lead to further studies such as imaging with ultrasound or CT scanning.
If the results reveal levels
A urine culture can determine if you have a bacterial infection and which bacteria are present.
A doctor may also recommend an X-ray or CT scan to see if any stones are visible.
Treatment will depend on the cause of high leukocyte levels.
For a UTI, a doctor may recommend antibiotics and to drink plenty of water.
For an upper tract obstructions (in the ureters or kidneys), they may suggest:
- drinking plenty of water to flush out small kidney stones
- a procedure using sound waves to break up kidney stones
- a surgical procedure to remove a large stone
For lower tract obstructions (bladder, urethra), other interventions may be needed.
If tests show that the blockage results from a tumor, you may need further tests and treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these.
Read more: What are some more remedies for a bladder infection?
Ways to prevent urinary tract issues include:
- drinking plenty of fluid
- wiping from front to back after using the bathroom
- washing the genital area carefully before and after sex, and drying well after washing
- peeing as soon as possible after sex
- for people using incontinence pads, changing them frequently
- seeking help promptly for any changes in urine, such as the color or smell or if there’s pain when urinating or in the pelvic area
taking any medications as prescribed, even if symptoms improve, to prevent a recurrence
A
With early diagnosis and prompt treatment, it’s usually possible to resolve a UTI or kidney stones, although both can recur.
Various tumors, both benign (noncancerous) and malignant (cancerous), can occur, and appropriate testing will determine the treatment needed.
Cancerous growths are treatable, but the treatment options will depend on many factors, such as how far the cancer has spread.
Can you have leukocytes in urine but no UTI?
It’s possible to have leukocytes in urine if you have sterile pyuria, which occurs with certain autoimmune conditions and bladder cancer.
Some medications can cause high levels of leukocytes in the urine, such as NSAIDs, steroids, PPIs, and some antibiotics.
Do leukocytes in urine only mean UTI?
High WBC levels in urine can be a sign of different types of infection, but it can also indicate a blockage of some sort, various health conditions, and the use of some medications.
What can cause leukocytes in urine besides UTI?
Other possible causes include a benign or cancerous tumor, kidney stones, tuberculosis, some STIs, autoimmune conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus, and some forms of cancer. The use of various medications can also raise leukocyte levels in urine.
Are leukocytes in urine serious?
High levels of leukocytes or white blood cells in your urine typically indicate your body is fighting an infection, often a urinary tract infection (UTI).
However, it might also indicate a more serious non-infectious concern, such as kidney stones or a pelvic tumor.
High levels of leukocytes or white blood cells in urine often indicate an infection. However, other causes may also be present, such as kidney stones or a benign or cancerous growth.
Be sure to seek help quickly for any pelvic pain, discomfort, or urinary changes, as complications can arise if you don’t receive prompt treatment for any of the causes of high leukocytes in urine.