White Blood Cells In Urine?

[Derrick]

Hello!

I'm curious if anyone else has had a similar experience with their urine cultures.

I began seeing a uro in Seattle about 2 months ago. One of the first tests he did was look for white blood cells in my urine.

On the very first sample, he said that he found white blood cells; however, he couldn't get any cultures to grow.

I have repeated this test three times. Each time we get the same results - no cultures grow but he always finds white blood cells.

Last week, I went in and had cysto/hydro. After the procedure, uro said that I had IC because he saw pin point bleeding on bladder wall.

Four days prior to having my cysto, I went in and had a Complete Blood Count (CBC) to look for elevated levels of white blood cells to see if my body was indeed trying to fight an infection. The CBC test results were for the most part normal with the exception that my Liver Function Test came back "borderline high." Kidney Function Test and blood sugar test were both "OK." Cholestrol was a little high but no big deal.

Has anyone else had a similar experience with uro finding white blood cells in their urine but then can't get cultures to grow?

Also, I'm curious to know if common cystitis and IC look the same? (i.e. inflamed bladder wall and pin point bleeding???)

I thinking about asking uro to prescribe the medication that would clear up common cystitis just to see what happens.

Does this sound logical?

Thanks!

Derrick

[Pat]

When I first started out I also had white blood cells in my urine, both primary doctor and uro told me that, Primary traeted me for a bladder infection that never improved, then uro told me that I had white blood cells in mt urine and it was a sign of infection, saw nothing on the office cysto, so did a hydro and was diagnosed with IC, I was also curious as you are if anyone else had this. I have'nt been told anything more about it, don't now if they grow. Pat

[ICNDonna]

I nearly always have a few white cells in my urine --- it's my understanding that this is normal. With a UTI there will be an elevated white cell count, plus a culture would show growth.

I know there have been cases when a healthy bladder will show pinpoint bleeding with hydrodistention, if you have IC symptoms and have ruled out other causes, I would say the likelihood is pretty good that you do have IC.

Sending healing thoughts from Oregon,
Donna

[Mishque]

Hi Derrick,

I always have a very high amount of white blood cells in my urine but there is never any infection showing in the culture.

I have had blood tests but all seem to be normal. I also had a cysto but they couldnt see anything in my bladder either. However the hospital decided that I must have IC. I have now been transferred to a London hospital who seem to think the same. However when I take antibiotics all the symptoms of IC plus pain go away completely. It is all very strange.

Best wishes

[katie87]

I have had leukocytes (WBC) in my urine many many times with no infection, i think it is just because my bladder is bleeding all the time.

[vickyjhnsn70]

This information is very interesting. I've been trying to figure out the age old question, do I have an infection or not!!! I've had doctors swear that because there are leukocytes in my urine there is an infection and the culture never grows. Most of the time when there is pain, moderate to bad pain it turns out to be: blood, leukocytes, and no bacteria - culture never grows. (not doubled over, want to die pain, thats always an infection - always shows bacteria)

I just gatta wonder how many times have I taken antibiotics that were not needed. Does anybody know of a sure fire way to know for sure? Do antibiotics help IC flares?

Is this, like IC itself - a mystery too?

[sharloom]

Sorry that you are going through this situation, and also to post a question on your thread...but how on earth do I begin a new thread..? I have a question for you all...

[vickyjhnsn70]

It depends on what you are posting about. The main page is: http://www.ic-network.com/forum/index.php

Pick a topic click on it and somewhere on that page it says start a new thread.

[shellemo]

i too have had this problem but with me it was raised red and white blood cells but never any cultures x as i have not yet been for urodynamics an cytoscopy this is very worrying for me :( has any 1 ever had raised red and white blood cells in their urine ? Supose ill just have to wait and see what happens but i feel like i cant wait any longer and it could be another 4 weeks till my appointment comes through :( love and hugs shelley

[purpleviolet]

I'm reviving thread because I had a bad flare with no urine growth of bacteria but white blood cells in urine. I took a few days of macrobid and prosed. Then when the flare was over I had another culture and there was no growth (but the low normal exterior related bacteria they say they always pick up on a pee in the cup culture) and no white cells, or blood either. Very mysterious. No one can answer why there are white cells - what caused it. I don't totally trust the cultures especially when sometimes you pee in the cup it is in the middle of the day and maybe you just peed an hour ago so the urine is not very concentrated. Oh I don't know! Has anyone studied if allergies cause white blood cells in the urine?

[earthlady]

I've had the white blood cells show up sometimes too with no bacteria growth. One uro gyno said it is sometimes from vaginal secretions, and she wasn't concerned about it at all. I was, but she wasn't.

[earthlady]

Forgot to add- I always thought about the time of day too when we give a urine sample at the drs. So what I did was buy a urine specimen cup and took my own urine sample first thing in the morning before it had a chance to get diluted from too many pees and refrigerated it until I left for the drs. You should have seen my drs. face when I came in the room with my own specimen from home. Ha Ha

[Mothergoose]

Have a standing order for a uti test any time I ask for one, so I take bottles home from the clinic, with the lables already on them so all's I have to do is walk in and drop them off.

Saves me a lot of time and I never have to make my self go on command, I always collect the first pee in the am too.

MG

[purpleviolet]

I have cups and those wipes too from the doctors and sometimes a lab slip in advance. Sometimes the doc gives me antibiotics for emergency only. You would want to collect your pee before starting anything.
I thought it was to be refrigerated but then I read somewhere more than 2 hours is bad, so I think you have to get it to the lab quickly. Anyone been told a certain protocol to follow?

[Mothergoose]

I was not given an exact time, but was told not to put it in the fridge, they always ask when I bring it in what time it was collected.

I always have ab's at home incase it hits on a weekend, or when my dr. is away. If I can I am to get a sample collected and taken in for testing prior to starting ab's. But I am not to wait to start ab's if I have symtoms.

MG