Blood in Urine (Haematuria) Assessment in Johor Bahru and Batu Pahat, Johor
Seen blood in your urine, or been told your urine test shows blood? Consultant urologist Dato’ Dr Azhar Amir Hamzah finds the cause, so serious conditions are not missed.
What is haematuria?
Haematuria means blood in the urine. It may be visible, turning urine pink, red or brown, or hidden and only found on a urine test. It is a symptom, not a disease, and should always be checked by a doctor, even if it happens only once and causes no pain.
Symptoms
- Pink, red or cola coloured urine
- Blood clots in the urine
- Blood found on a routine urine test
- Sometimes with pain, burning or passing urine often
Common causes
- Urine infection
- Kidney or bladder stones
- Enlarged prostate
- Bladder, kidney or prostate cancer
- Kidney disease, injury or strenuous exercise
- Some medicines, including blood thinners
How Dato’ Dr Azhar assesses blood in the urine
Dato’ Dr Azhar checks your urine for infection and abnormal cells, tests kidney function, and arranges an ultrasound or CT scan of the kidneys and urinary tract. A cystoscopy, a thin camera passed into the bladder, checks the bladder lining. Together these tests find the cause in most people, and treatment then targets that cause.
When to see a urologist
- Any visible blood in the urine, even once
- Blood on a urine test that is confirmed on a repeat test
- Blood in the urine with weight loss, or if you smoke
- Blood clots or being unable to pass urine: seek urgent care
FAQs
If the blood stopped, do I still need a check?
Yes. Blood from a bladder or kidney tumour often comes and goes, so stopping does not mean the cause has gone.
Can food make urine look red?
Yes. Beetroot, dragon fruit and some medicines can colour urine. A urine test tells the difference.
Is blood in the urine serious?
Often it is caused by infection or stones, but it can be the first sign of cancer, which is why it should always be checked.