Blood in the urine should never be ignored. Tell your doctor about this symptom and get an appropriate evaluation, especially if you have unexplained weight loss, discomfort with urination, frequent urination, or urgent urination.

Call your doctor right away if:

• You have fever, nausea, vomiting, shaking chills, or pain in your abdomen, side, or back
• You are unable to urinate
• You are passing blood clots in your urine

Also call your doctor if:

• You have pain with sexual intercourse or heavy menstrual bleeding -- the problem may be related to your reproductive organs
• You have urine dribbling, nighttime urination, or difficulty starting your urinary flow -- the problem may be related to your prostate

Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination. Medical history questions may include:

• When did you first notice blood in your urine?
• What is the underlying color of your urine?
• Do you have any pain with urination?
• Has the quantity of your urine increased or decreased?
• Does your urine have an odor?
• Are you urinating more frequently?
• Do you have an urgent need to urinate?
• What medications are you taking, including over the counter drugs?
• Have you recently eaten foods that may cause discoloration, like beets, berries, or rhubarb?
• Do you have any other symptoms like pain in your back, abdomen, or side? Fever, weight loss, nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea? Nighttime urination? Dribbling? Discharge from penis or vagina? Pain with intercourse?
• Have you had previous urinary problems or kidney problems?
• Do you have any allergies?
• Do you have a history of tobacco use?
• Have you had a recent injury?
• Have you had any recent diagnostic or surgical procedures involving the urinary tract?

Tests that may be done include:

• Abdominal ultrasound
• Antinuclear antibody test for lupus
• Blood creatinine level
• Blood differential
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• CT scan of the abdomen
• Cystoscopy
• Intravenous pyelogram (PVP)
• Kidney biopsy
• Kidney x-rays
• Strep test
• Tests for sickle cell, bleeding problems, and other blood disorders
• Urinalysis
• Urine culture
• 24-hour urine collection for creatinine, protein, calcium

The treatment will depend on the cause of the blood in the urine. If a urinary tract infection is confirmed, antibiotics may be prescribed. If appropriate, pain medications will be given.