Blood in Urine (Haematuria)
Experiencing blood in your urine can be concerning. Our specialist clinic in London provides rapid access and comprehensive assessment in a timely manner.
Why does Haematuria (Blood in Urine) occur?
Haematuria refers to the presence of blood in your urine, which may be visible to the naked eye (gross or macroscopic haematuria) or only detectable under a microscope (microscopic or non-visible haematuria). It can occur in small amounts or be more pronounced, sometimes causing pink, bright red, or cola-colored urine.
While seeing blood in urine can be alarming, it is important to know only a few drops of blood can be enough to colour your entire stream red. It’s similar to how a small amount of red cordial can make a entire glass of water change colour. So while it seems like you’re losing a lot of blood, it is usually only a small amount of true blood in most cases. It can result from a range of conditions, from minor urinary tract infections to more serious kidney or bladder problems. Early and rapid evaluation by a specialist helps identify the underlying cause, allowing timely and effective treatment.
Symptoms of Haematuria
Common signs of haematuria may include:
- Pink, red, or cola-colored urine
- Frequent or urgent urination
- Pain or burning sensation while urinating
- Lower back, flank or abdominal pain
- Blood clots in urine
Causes of Haematuria
It’s important to never ignore Haematuria. Some common causes of blood in the urine:
Urinary Tract Infections
Infections can inflame the urinary tract lining, leading to irritation and blood in urine.
Kidney or Bladder Stones
Hard mineral deposits may scratch the urinary tract lining, leading to blood in urine.
Enlarged Prostate
An enlarged prostate can obstruct urine flow and cause bleeding from stretched blood vessels.
Urethral Strictures
Scar tissue can narrow the urethra, causing restricted flow and bleeding in the urinary tract.
Kidney Disease
Kidney conditions can damage filtration, allowing blood to leak into the urine.
Bladder or Kidney Cancer
Abnormal growths in the urinary tract may lead to bleeding and visible blood in urine.
Medications
Blood-thinning medications can increase the risk of bleeding within the urinary tract.
Radiotherapy Treatment
Radiotherapy can inflame the urinary lining, making it more prone to bleeding.
High Blood Pressure
High blood pressure can weaken vessels, causing bleeding within the urinary tract.
Vigorous Exercise
Can lead to seeing blood in your urine, which might be bright red or cola coloured.
Trauma
Injury or damage to your urinary tract can cause blood to appear in your urine.
Diet
Eating beetroot can turn your urine pink. Vitamin C supplements can show up non visible haematuria
How Haematuria is Diagnosed
It can be difficult to pinpoint the exact cause of your haematuria by just looking at your urine. Early and urgent assessment is key to addressing haematuria effectively. Our clinic uses a range of tests to determine the cause by comprehensively assessing your urinary tract from top to bottom.
Diagnostic Tests:
Urinalysis: Detects red blood cells, protein, and signs of infection.
Urine Culture: Identifies bacterial infections causing haematuria.
Blood Tests: Assess kidney function to detect underlying disorders. Checking your blood count and clotting profile allows assessment of the amount of blood lost and excludes any bleeding disorders.
Imaging Tests (Ultrasound, CT, MRI): Visualize kidneys, ureters, and bladder for stones, tumors, or structural issues. We select the right tests to ensure we match your pattern of symptoms to pinpoint the correct diagnosis
Cystoscopy: A small camera is inserted into the urethra and bladder to inspect their lining for abnormalities or tumors.
Why Choose Us
Patients choose our clinic for:
- Extensive experience in diagnosing and treating urinary conditions
- Specialist expertise in haematuria and urological care
- Personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient
- Rapid, targeted assessments using only essential tests to confirm diagnosis.
- Compassionate and supportive patient care approach
Frequently Asked Questions
Is blood in urine always serious?
Not always. While it can be caused by minor issues like infections, it should always be promptly evaluated to rule out serious conditions. It’s important to never ignore even a single episode of haematuria.
Can haematuria be painless?
Yes, but this does not mean it’s due to nothing serious. It’s important to not ignore it, and to get promptly assessed.
Are diagnostic tests painful?
Most tests, like urinalysis or imaging, are painless. Cystoscopy can be done under a local anaesthetic taking less than 5minutes in the outpatients, but does cause some minor discomfort. If something more significant is required, or if you are very anxious, the cystoscopy can be done while you’re asleep with an anesthetic.
Will my insurance cover my tests?
Yes – almost all insurance companies cover you to have all the investigations you need to find the underlying cause of your haematuria.
Do I have to get investigated?
Yes- Seeing blood in your urine, even once, should never be ignored. It’s important you have a full and comprehensive assessment to rule out anything serious.