Blood in urine: ‘Common but never normal,’ urologist says
Urologists recommend seeing a medical provider as soon as blood is detected in the urine, whether it appears to be pink, red, brown, or is found during routine laboratory testing.
By Carol McPhail
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Blood in the urine may be common, but urologists say it’s a symptom that should always be taken seriously.
USA Health urologist Jatinder Kumar, M.B.B.S., M.S., M.Ch., M.D., says blood in the urine is one of the most common reasons patients seek urologic care.
“About 15 to 20 percent of patients we see come in with complaints of blood in the urine,” said Kumar, who sees patients at USA Health University Urology. “It’s common, but it is never normal.”
Possible causes
Kumar said the most frequent causes of blood in the urine are benign and include prostate-related conditions, kidney or bladder stones, and urinary tract infections. However, he said, doctors are especially concerned about ruling out more serious causes, such as cancers of the kidney, bladder, and ureter.
“These malignant causes can never be overlooked,” he said. “Finding them early allows us to treat them more effectively.”
While urinary tract cancers can affect both men and women, Kumar said they are more commonly seen in men, particularly those with a long history of smoking. “Smoking significantly increases the risk,” he said.
When to seek care
Urologists recommend seeing a medical provider as soon as blood is detected in the urine, whether it appears to be pink, red, brown, or is found during routine laboratory testing.
“Even microscopic blood detected by a primary care provider should prompt a referral to a urologist,” Kumar said.
Once a patient is evaluated, urologists work to identify the underlying cause through a combination of tests. These may include prostate evaluations, urine cultures to check for infection, and imaging studies such as ultrasounds or CT scans of the kidneys and bladder.
One of the most important diagnostic tools is cystoscopy, a procedure in which a small camera is inserted into the bladder to check for abnormalities or signs of bladder cancer.
Kumar said patients should not ignore changes in their urine, even if they occur without pain or other symptoms. “Any change in urine color should be checked,” he said.
Patients seeking more information or an appointment can contact USA Health University Urology by calling 251-660-5930.
