Fecal Leukocytes

High levels of fecal leukocytes in your stool could indicate that your body is fighting an infection or inflammation in your digestive system. This might be due to bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections, inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, or even a reaction to certain medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Essentially, the presence of more white blood cells in your stool suggests that your immune system is actively working to combat an issue within your gut.

Symptoms of high levels of fecal leukocytes may include diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and blood or mucus in the stool.

Low levels of fecal leukocytes in your stool could indicate that your immune system is not actively fighting an infection or inflammation in your digestive system. This might be a sign of good gut health, as it suggests that there are no major issues causing your immune system to respond. However, certain medications, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressive drugs, can also lead to low levels of fecal leukocytes, as they suppress your immune system's response. In some cases, low levels might be due to a less common infection that doesn't trigger a strong immune response or an issue with your immune system itself. Overall, low fecal leukocyte levels can have various meanings, but they generally suggest a lack of significant inflammation or infection in your digestive system.

Symptoms of low levels of fecal leukocytes may include a lack of digestive issues, absence of abdominal pain or discomfort, normal bowel movements, and generally good gut health, but could also be influenced by certain medications or less common infections.