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What Does Presence Of Blood In Urine Indicate?
Question: I have noticed blood in my urine. It started today.
Brief Answer:
Evaluation for hematuria
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Blood in the urine can be from a variety of reasons, but the cause should always be checked out.
Blood in the urine can be caused by innocuous things such as strenuous exercise, but also by cancers of the kidney and urinary tract. Bladder and prostate infections can present with blood in the urine. So can stones anywhere along the urinary system. Some medications can cause hematuria too. Enlarged prostates sometimes cause blood in the urine. And abnormalities of the kidney also can cause this.
The first test to start with is a urinalysis with microscopy. This just requires a urine specimen to be given at the doctor's office or clinic. A urinalysis can show if there is an infection (in which case the urine specimen should be sent for a culture and sensitivity test), and sometimes can show if there are stones. Protein in a urinalysis test can indicate a problem with the kidneys.
Depending on what the urinalysis shows, the doctor may want to do other studies, such as a regular X-ray (if stones are suspected), or an ultrasound of the kidneys or urinary tract. The doctor should also do a digital rectal exam to check your prostate size and shape. This is usually done after the initial urine specimen is given so that prostatic fluid doesn't get into the urine specimen. The doctor may also want to send you to have a consult with a urologist (who specializes in this area of the body).
I recommend you go in to the urgent care clinic today to start with a urinalysis. This will save time while you make an appointment with your doctor.
When you go in to the urgent care clinic, specify that you want to see a physician and not a PA or NP. Some places hire a lot of physician's assistants and nurse practitioners to save on costs and because of physician shortages. But they do not have the training that physicians have.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Evaluation for hematuria
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Blood in the urine can be from a variety of reasons, but the cause should always be checked out.
Blood in the urine can be caused by innocuous things such as strenuous exercise, but also by cancers of the kidney and urinary tract. Bladder and prostate infections can present with blood in the urine. So can stones anywhere along the urinary system. Some medications can cause hematuria too. Enlarged prostates sometimes cause blood in the urine. And abnormalities of the kidney also can cause this.
The first test to start with is a urinalysis with microscopy. This just requires a urine specimen to be given at the doctor's office or clinic. A urinalysis can show if there is an infection (in which case the urine specimen should be sent for a culture and sensitivity test), and sometimes can show if there are stones. Protein in a urinalysis test can indicate a problem with the kidneys.
Depending on what the urinalysis shows, the doctor may want to do other studies, such as a regular X-ray (if stones are suspected), or an ultrasound of the kidneys or urinary tract. The doctor should also do a digital rectal exam to check your prostate size and shape. This is usually done after the initial urine specimen is given so that prostatic fluid doesn't get into the urine specimen. The doctor may also want to send you to have a consult with a urologist (who specializes in this area of the body).
I recommend you go in to the urgent care clinic today to start with a urinalysis. This will save time while you make an appointment with your doctor.
When you go in to the urgent care clinic, specify that you want to see a physician and not a PA or NP. Some places hire a lot of physician's assistants and nurse practitioners to save on costs and because of physician shortages. But they do not have the training that physicians have.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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