Blood in Urine (Hematuria) Test
Reviewed
Also called: microscopic urine analysis, microscopic examination of urine, urine test, urine analysis, UA, urine microscopy
A urinalysis, which includes a test for blood in urine, is used to check your general health, including the health of your urinary tract, kidneys, and liver.
Specimen: Urine
Why this test may be ordered
- As part of a routine exam to check general health, including the health of the urinary tract, kidneys, and liver
- If you see blood in your urine
- If you have symptoms such as painful urination, frequent urination, back pain, or abdominal (belly) pain
Preparation and collection
You don't need any special preparations before getting a test for blood in your urine. You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
You will need to give a urine sample for the test. It's important to follow these instructions so that germs from your skin don't get into the sample. If you have hemorrhoids that bleed or are having your menstrual period, tell your provider before your test. Outside blood could get into your urine sample and affect your test results.
There is no known risk to having a urinalysis or a blood in urine test.
Understanding results
Many things can cause blood in urine, and most of them aren't serious.
- Blood detected: common, less serious causes: Blood may be caused by certain medicines, intense exercise, sexual activity, or menstruation. Limitation: But blood in your urine can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem. Next step: To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.
- Blood detected: possible serious cause: But blood in your urine can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem, such as: Infection in your bladder, kidney, or prostate, Bladder or kidney stones, Kidney injury from an accident or sports, A viral infection, including hepatitis (a disease of the liver causing inflammation), Cancer of the bladder, kidney, or prostate, Enlarged prostate (BPH), Inflammation of the kidney, urethra, or bladder, A blood disorder, Polycystic kidney disease, Disorders of the ureters (tubes that connect your kidneys to your bladder). Limitation: Many things can cause blood in urine, and most of them aren't serious. Next step: If your test result shows blood in your urine, you may need more tests to find out why.
- Certain medicines, intense exercise, sexual activity, or menstruation can cause blood in urine and may lead to a false positive
- Contamination from skin germs or menstrual blood can affect accuracy
- A single positive result does not diagnose a specific condition; further testing is usually needed to determine the cause
What to do next
To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider. If your test result shows blood in your urine, you may need more tests to find out why.
- What could cause blood in my urine?
- Do I need additional tests if blood is found?
- How should I prepare for the test?
Evidence source
Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.
U.S. National Library of Medicine: Blood in Urine (Hematuria) Test