Q: Which doctor should I consult for hematuria?
A: For Frank hematuria – urologist should be consulted. If there is persistent micro-hematuria – a Nephrologist should be consulted.
Q: How is hematuria evaluated?
A: Repeated urine testing is performed. If blood is found in the urine, the next step would involve a cystoscopy, which is a procedure to look inside the bladder. This can be by either a flexible or a rigid scope and maybe done as an out patient procedure. Imaging tests such as CT or MRI are also performed.
Q: What if I have blood in my urine?
A: Do not panic right away as most causes are not life-threatening. Make sure that you get your urine tests repeated. Your health care provider will inform you if you need to have further tests performed.
Q: Who is more likely to develop hematuria?
A: People who have an enlarged prostate or urinary stones are most likely to develop hematuria. Many men over the age of 50 are at risk due to an enlarged prostate gland.
Women with urinary infections too can develop hematuria.
Q: What is a dipstick test?
A: The dipstick test for hematuria is simply a non-diagnostic test for hematuria. A positive result is simply a color change due to oxidation of a test strip reagent. But it is not an accurate test as a false positive can result from hemoglobinuria, myoglobinuria and menstrual blood in the urine sample. However it is a quick test and useful if once hematuria is proven by the lab test.
Q: Will I have hematuria even if I don’t see blood in my urine?
A: Microscopic hematuria occurs when blood in the urine is invisible to the naked eye. In many cases, it goes away without causing any problems. You will never know you have it, until you get a urine test.
