Urine White Blood Cells (Microscopy)
This part of a urinalysis uses a microscope to count white blood cells in your urine, reported per high-power field. White blood cells are immune cells that gather in response to inflammation.
A higher count points to inflammation somewhere in the urinary tract and helps confirm what the leukocyte esterase dipstick may suggest. Because inflammation has several possible causes, this count helps your clinician gauge how likely an infection or irritation is. It adds precision to the broader picture your urinalysis paints.
More white blood cells than expected suggest inflammation, which a clinician may link to a urinary tract infection or other irritation, often confirmed with a urine culture or further evaluation.
Few or no white blood cells per high-power field is the normal, reassuring finding.
Only a small number of white blood cells per high-power field is typically considered normal, often around a few or fewer. Higher counts are interpreted by a clinician alongside your symptoms and other test results.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.