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What Causes Blood In Urine While On Valtrex?
Question: Hello. Is it possible that finding a small amount of blood in urine could be associated with taking Valtrex for a week for a mild case of shingles? And could this scenario interfere with losing pounds on my strict supervised diet in the same week, and gaining back a couple of pounds as well?
Thank you.
Thank you.
Brief Answer:
not likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
blood in the urine is not expected after a course of valacyclovir. This drug may increase the risk for urinary tract infection (UTI) though and a UTI may present with blood in the urine (although more findings are required for the diagnosis).
Getting weight is not expected either. On the contrary this drug may cause nausea and reduced appetite in some patients (up to 1 out of 7 patients taking it).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
not likely
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
blood in the urine is not expected after a course of valacyclovir. This drug may increase the risk for urinary tract infection (UTI) though and a UTI may present with blood in the urine (although more findings are required for the diagnosis).
Getting weight is not expected either. On the contrary this drug may cause nausea and reduced appetite in some patients (up to 1 out of 7 patients taking it).
I hope you find my comments helpful!
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for your reply. What else then could be a realistic cause for suddenly having microscopic hematuria? Could it be associated with my new diet of the last four weeks involving meal replacement shakes containing aspertame?!
Brief Answer:
not related to diet
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Microscopic hematuria may have various causes. One of the most common causes is a urinary tract infection. A urinalysis may provide enough clues to diagnose it. Other potential causes include tumors, stones, injuries, benign prostatic hyperplasia, etc.
In cases of painless hematuria the cause has to be investigated at all times. Your diet is not related to it.
Further steps towards the diagnosis may include radiological assessment with an ultrasound scan or CT-scan (if required) and cystoscopy. If no cause can be identified after appropriate treatment then giving three urine samples for cytologic evaluation would be recommended.
Kind Regards!
not related to diet
Detailed Answer:
You're welcome!
Microscopic hematuria may have various causes. One of the most common causes is a urinary tract infection. A urinalysis may provide enough clues to diagnose it. Other potential causes include tumors, stones, injuries, benign prostatic hyperplasia, etc.
In cases of painless hematuria the cause has to be investigated at all times. Your diet is not related to it.
Further steps towards the diagnosis may include radiological assessment with an ultrasound scan or CT-scan (if required) and cystoscopy. If no cause can be identified after appropriate treatment then giving three urine samples for cytologic evaluation would be recommended.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. In fact the diet doctor checks urine every week when I see him because of the protein meal replacement shake. I have had it checked four weeks, and it is only this week that microscopic hematuria was found, and he sent it to the lab to be checked by next week. Of course he will check it again, but I have no traditional symptoms (I had one UTI 20 years ago, and then another 2 years ago). In the previous cases I had visible blood in my urine and burning. Is it possible that this time the infection has been discovered before symptoms? And how common is it for a middle-age man (I am 61) to have a UTI every few years? Thanks.
Brief Answer:
it happens sometimes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the UTI typically causes the symptoms you've described in your question. The 'rule' is "no symptoms - no UTI". Lower urinary tract infections are not common in young men. Middle aged men are in higher risk though because of the enlarging prostate or other comorbidities they may acquire with time (like diabetes for example).
I would suggest doing a urinalysis and radiological assessment (starting with an ultrasound scan) and then deciding with your doctor for further action (CT-scan and/or cystoscopy).
Kind Regards!
Brief Answer:
this is good...
Detailed Answer:
It's good that your PSA levels were low as low PSA levels make prostate cancer less likely. You should proceed with the investigation though.
Best wishes!
it happens sometimes
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the UTI typically causes the symptoms you've described in your question. The 'rule' is "no symptoms - no UTI". Lower urinary tract infections are not common in young men. Middle aged men are in higher risk though because of the enlarging prostate or other comorbidities they may acquire with time (like diabetes for example).
I would suggest doing a urinalysis and radiological assessment (starting with an ultrasound scan) and then deciding with your doctor for further action (CT-scan and/or cystoscopy).
Kind Regards!
Brief Answer:
this is good...
Detailed Answer:
It's good that your PSA levels were low as low PSA levels make prostate cancer less likely. You should proceed with the investigation though.
Best wishes!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you. If there are new developments next week I shall try to let you know. But for now i feel no symptoms related to UTI, or even to prostate (as far as I can tell). My most recent blood test a few weeks ago indicated a very normal PSA test.
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