Understanding blood in urine symptoms and diagnosis
Content summary
Blood in your urine (hematuria) often indicates an underlying medical condition. Noting your symptoms and scheduling an appointment with your doctor will culminate in a diagnosis, which will pave the path toward monitoring and managing your condition. This new blog post in our hematuria series expands upon the symptoms commonly associated with hematuria, including:
- Visible blood
- Discolored or darkened urine
- Pain or discomfort
- Enlarged prostate
- Frequent urination
- Lower back pain
We’ll also explain the diagnostic tests that doctors frequently use to determine what underlying condition you may have. These diagnostic tests include:
- Urine analysis (also known as a urinalysis)
- Imaging studies
- Cystoscopy
- Blood tests
- Biopsy
The blog post will be rounded out by information on when to seek medical advice. Our FKP Kidney Health blog exists to encourage you to learn more about your kidney health, including the condition known as hematuria, its symptoms, and the diagnostic processes designed to identify the cause of blood in your urine. Thank you for trusting us to educate and empower you; we’re glad you’re here.
Unraveling the Enigma: Recognizing Symptoms and Diagnosing Hematuria
Introduction
Hematuria is characterized as the observation of blood in your urine—you may notice it yourself when you urinate, or you may receive confirmation of its presence from your doctor or nephrologist. Your journey toward understanding hematuria involves recognizing its signs and symptoms as well as undergoing the comprehensive diagnostic tests that doctors use to reveal what might be causing blood to leak into your urine. After reviewing your symptoms and the results of your diagnostic tests, your doctor can provide a confident diagnosis and then create a care plan that fully and effectively addresses the underlying condition that’s causing hematuria.
Signs and Symptoms of Hematuria
These are the most common signs and symptoms of hematuria. If you experience one or more of these symptoms, prompt medical attention is advised.
- Visible Blood in Urine
One of the primary signs of hematuria is the visible presence of visible blood in your urine. Every time you urinate, be sure to pay close attention to any changes in the color of your urine. The blood could range from light pink to dark red. - Discolored or Darkened Urine
Hematuria may cause the color of your urine to appear discolored or darker than usual. Again, be sure to document the colors you observe so you can share detailed information with your doctor. - Pain or Discomfort
It is not uncommon for hematuria to be accompanied by pain or discomfort while urinating. In such cases, there’s a high probability that your urinary tract is inflamed or irritated. - Frequent Urination
The presence of blood in your urine is alarming on its own, and the added inconvenience of frequent urination can add to your growing concern. Hematuria and obvious changes in your urinary habits warrant a visit to your doctor. - Lower Back Pain
Sometimes lower back pain is reported among people who have hematuria. If you have blood in your urine and your back is also bothering you, communicate those issues so your doctor can be made aware of the full scope of your symptoms.
Diagnostic Tests for Identifying the Cause
After taking note of all your symptoms, your doctor or nephrologist will begin the process of scheduling the appropriate diagnostic testing. The following tests are used to determine what’s causing blood to appear in your urine, and the results of these tests offer valuable insights into a potential underlying condition that needs to be diagnosed and treated.
- Urine Analysis
A urine analysis—also known as a urinalysis—is the primary diagnostic tool for diagnosing hematuria. A urinalysis involves a laboratory technician studying the appearance, concentration, and content of your urine. After you provide a urine sample, it will be evaluated in three separate ways: a visual exam, a dipstick test, and a microscopic exam. Regarding the latter, laboratory technicians examine concentrated drops of your urine under a microscope to detect the presence of red blood cells, bacteria, crystals, and other potential abnormalities. If red blood cells are present, for example, this could be a sign of kidney disease, bladder cancer, or another underlying medical condition. According to Mayo Clinic, “A urinalysis alone usually doesn’t provide a definite diagnosis. Depending on the reason your provider recommended this test, you might need follow-up for unusual results. Evaluation of the urinalysis results with other tests can help your provider determine next steps.” - Imaging Studies
Your doctor or nephrologist may request that you undergo one or more imaging studies, such as an ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. All of these imaging tests can give your doctor a closer look at your urinary tract. The images can help identify structural abnormalities, kidney stones, or tumors that may be causing hematuria. - Cystoscopy
Cystocopies are performed by urologists. It is a procedure that allows your doctor to closely examine the lining of your bladder and urethra—the hollow, muscular organ that stores urine and the tube that carries urine out of your body, respectively. A cystoscope is a thin tube outfitted with a lens. During the procedure, the tube gets inserted into your urethra and then makes its way toward your bladder. Your doctor will be granted a direct view of your urinary tract, and the examination will provide the views necessary to aid in the identification of abnormalities. Cleveland Clinic notes that cystoscopy can be done as an inpatient or outpatient procedure: “Depending on the reason for the cystoscopy, you may have an outpatient procedure (go home the same day) or stay overnight in the hospital. For most diagnostic procedures, your doctor uses a numbing gel so you don’t feel pain in your urethra. For a more invasive treatment cystoscopy, you may need sedation or general anesthesia.”
Seeking Timely Medical Attention
Please don’t ignore the presence of blood in your urine. Whether you see the blood or you’re told that the blood has been detected under a microscope, hematuria is your body’s way of trying to tell you that a visit to the doctor is in order. Seek prompt medical attention if, in addition to blood in your urine, you experience other worrying symptoms, including any of the ones addressed in this blog post.
During your visit with your doctor, be sure to communicate openly and honestly so you can be an active participant in the diagnostic process. The sooner your doctors can verify the underlying cause of hematuria, the sooner you can receive appropriate treatment, which should resolve the hematuria and any other associated symptoms.
Empowering Individuals Through Early Detection
You play as big a role in your health as your doctors do. When it comes to hematuria, your vigilance in observing symptoms and your promptness in undergoing the recommended diagnostic tests will help your doctor deliver an accurate diagnosis. Partnering with your healthcare providers allows you to proactively manage your health and ensure not only early detection but also timely intervention.
We encourage you to do your part in helping your doctors care for you. They are on your team, and they’ll guide you with confidence, compassion, and respect as you take the steps necessary to stay healthy. Embrace their expertise, ask questions, share your concerns, and trust that they are making well-informed decisions that are meant to defend your kidneys—small but mighty organs that filter metabolic waste, balance fluids and electrolytes, regulate blood pressure, and produce hormones that help your body function properly. Your kidneys are essential for your overall health and well-being, and your doctors are committed to protecting them.
Consider bookmarking this blog series about hematuria so you can revisit it whenever you’d like, share it with friends or family members who might be interested in learning about hematuria, and so you can be reminded to check back and read additional blog posts that we will publish as part of this ongoing series.