Blood in your urine is a condition known as hematuria. Most of the time, the cause of hematuria is not serious. However, blood in the urine should never be ignored. Your doctor can evaluate you to identify the cause of the bleeding and treat it, if necessary.
Two Types of Hematuria
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Gross hematuria means that the blood can be viewed by the naked eye. The urine may appear pinkish, brownish or bright red.
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Microscopic hematuria indicates that the urine is clear, yet blood cells can be seen when urine is looked at under a microscope or tested in a lab.
Gross and microscopic hematuria can have the same causes. Neither one is necessarily more serious than the other type. Along with either type, you may notice pain, pressure or burning when you urinate; abdominal pain or back pain. On the other hand, you may not notice any other symptoms. Regardless of how much blood is found, the cause of the bleeding needs to be identified.
Detecting the Cause of Hematuria
In evaluating your condition, the doctor will first confirm that blood is present. Other tests will be done to pinpoint where the blood is coming from and why. Your doctor will decide which tests will best pinpoint the cause of your hematuria. Some common tests are listed below.
- History and physical exam (H&P)
- Lab tests, which may include urinalysis, a urine culture, a urine cytology and other blood tests
- Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
- Cystoscopy
- Other possible tests:
- Computed tomography (CT or CAT) scan
- Ultrasound
- Cystourethrogram