Visible Haematuria
What Should I Do If I Have Blood In My Urine?
Your GP will normally investigate blood in the urine as a matter of urgency. Most GPs will perform simple, baseline tests. You may be started on antibiotics to treat a presumed infection. However, if the urine test result comes back showing no evidence of infection, you will normally be referred to your local urology department for more detailed investigations.
Causes
- Bladder Infection
- Cancers of the bladder, kidney or prostate
- Stones in the kidneys or bladder
- Inflammation of the kidneys (nephritis)
- Urinary tract injuries
- Blood disorders (e.g. sickle cell disease, clotting disorders, anticoagulant and anti-platelet drugs)
Common Facts About Haematuria
- The most common cause of blood in the urine is cystitis.
- Blood in the urine, visible or non-visible, should always be investigated.
- A one-off finding of a small trace of blood in the urine on routine testing may not be significant.
- Some drugs (e.g. rifampicin, nitrofurantoin) and food (e.g. beetroot) can turn the urine.