How to test your white blood cell count?
A leukocyte test measures the leukocyte value from the urine using special test strips . There are also tests that take this value from a blood sample and thus indicate pathogens in human blood.
If those affected believe they are suffering from an infection or bacterial disease, a leukocyte test provides information. These rapid tests detect parasitic pathogens in the blood of the person being tested.
The evaluation takes place in a urine analysis. Doctors carry this out in a laboratory equipped for this purpose. With the leukocyte rapid test, users see the test result immediately. Here, the urine test strips work by changing their color to indicate the leukocyte concentration.
How does the leukocyte test strip work?
If those interested in a leukocyte test take a test strip to hand, they must follow the instructions included. The tested fill a disinfected container with their midstream urine. This midstream urine contains the main concentration of leukocytes, so that the test result remains unaltered.
Affected people get this urine by draining part of their urine. After that, they hold back their urine for a short time. The subsequent amount of urine is called midstream urine in technical jargon and is particularly suitable for a leukocyte test. To do this, users dip the test strip into the collected liquid. You observe the numerous fields on the strip, which react to special components of the urine with a color change.
A regular leukocyte test shows a neutral reaction to the normal value of the white blood cells. The corresponding value is ten leukocytes in the tested amount of urine. If the urine sample contains significantly more white blood cells , the test strip will become discolored. This may indicate the user is infected.
The urine sediment is also suitable for the leukocyte test. To test this, there are special test strips. The sediment is deposited on these before experts examine it under the microscope. To do this, those affected send their test strips to a laboratory.
If the doctors discover more than five white blood cells in this case, they suspect that the person tested has a disease. There are various leukocyte self-tests that involve an explicit examination of the sample in a professional laboratory. The doctors assess the results obtained and determine the cell types that have occurred. High-quality tests measure other substances in addition to leukocytes. These include:
- Ketone,
- Glucose,
- Bilirubin,
- the pH of the urine,
- nitrite,
- Red blood cells
- and proteins.
A special leukocyte test counts the white blood cells in the blood. For a self-test, those affected wet a suitable test strip with a drop of blood from their fingertip. Here, too, you can see the result with the help of a color change. If the test strip measures an increased number of leukocytes – a leukocytosis – there is a suspicion of an inflammation or infectious disease in the person tested.
If the number is low – leukopenia – those affected suffer from an immune deficiency. A complex test determines not only the number of white blood cells but also the different types. These include lymphocytes, monocytes , neutrophils, eosinophils, and basophils.
What are the benefits of leukocyte testing?
The leukocyte test convinces due to its quick and easy to obtain results. The testers use these strips to confirm or reject the suspicion of a urinary infection. If the result is positive for pathogens, antibiotic treatment is carried out by the general practitioner.
This contains the appropriate smear test from those affected. Under certain circumstances, he sends him to a laboratory for more detailed examinations. Those who are interested can get the leukocyte test at the pharmacy or over the counter, depending on the desired equipment. To make the strips easier to use, the packs come with easy-to-use instructions.
Are there any disadvantages with the leukocyte test?
In a simple test, the test strip only determines the substances in the urine. There is no explicit data on their quantity and concentration. If users use the strips incorrectly, bacteria will get into the sample and falsify the result. There are also erroneous results when users take certain medications.
Similarly poor results are obtained by people who do a lot of exercise before using the test strips. This increases the leukocyte concentration and the leukocyte test indicates an infection. Using the test during the woman’s monthly bleeding does not work.
If interested parties use a leukocyte test, they measure other substances in the urine in addition to the white blood cells. With the test strips, which react to blood or urine, those affected confirm or reject their self-diagnoses. If used incorrectly, the leukocyte test will produce false results.
