Haematuria
Haematuria means blood in the urine. It should be checked even if it happens once, is painless or clears on its own. Most causes are not serious, but assessment is important because blood in the urine can sometimes be an early sign of a condition that needs prompt treatment.
- Specialist assessment for blood in the urine
- Support for visible and non-visible haematuria
- Urine testing where appropriate
- Clear explanation of results and next steps
- Private bladder and urinary tract care near Newcastle
What is haematuria?
Haematuria is the medical term for blood in the urine. It can be visible, where the urine looks pink, red, brown or tea-coloured. It can also be non-visible, where blood is found on a urine test but cannot be seen by eye.
Blood in the urine can come from anywhere in the urinary tract. This includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate in men or urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine out of the body.
Many cases are caused by non-serious and treatable conditions, such as a urinary tract infection, kidney stone or benign prostate enlargement. However, haematuria can sometimes be linked to more serious causes, including bladder or kidney cancer.
Because the causes vary, haematuria should not be ignored or assumed to be due to infection. A specialist assessment helps identify the likely cause, decide which investigations are needed and explain the next step clearly.
Common haematuria symptoms
Blood in the urine can appear in different ways. Some people have no pain or other symptoms, while others have urinary discomfort, infection symptoms or stone pain.
- Key Symptom
Visible blood in the urine
Visible haematuria means you can see blood in the urine. The urine may look pink, red, brown or darker than usual. It may happen once, come and go or appear with clots.
- Requires Check
Non-visible blood in the urine
Non-visible haematuria is found on a urine dipstick or laboratory urine test. You may not notice any change in the urine, but the finding may still need assessment depending on your age, symptoms and risk factors.
- Common Sign
Blood with urinary symptoms
Blood may occur alongside burning, urgency, frequency or lower abdominal discomfort. This can happen with infection or bladder irritation, but other causes may still need to be considered.
- Requires Check
Blood with pain
Blood in the urine with side, back, groin or lower abdominal pain can occur with kidney stones or other urinary tract problems. Severe pain needs prompt assessment.
- Requires Check
Blood without pain
Painless visible blood in the urine is particularly important to check. It may still have a simple explanation, but it should be assessed because some serious bladder or kidney conditions can cause painless bleeding.
Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only. If you are experiencing severe, localised pain accompanied by fever, persistent vomiting, or inability to pass urine, please seek immediate emergency medical care.
Specialist assessment
Specialist assessment may be helpful if you:
- Notice visible blood in the urine, even once
- Have blood found on a urine test
- Pass clots in the urine
- Have blood in the urine with urinary symptoms
- Have blood in the urine with side, back or groin pain
- Have recurrent urinary tract infections
- Have a history of smoking or other risk factors for bladder cancer
- Need help understanding urine test, scan or cystoscopy results
If you are passing large amounts of blood, clots or cannot pass urine, seek urgent medical advice.
What to expect at Tyneside Urology Partners
Your clinician will discuss your symptoms in detail, including when you first noticed blood, whether it was visible, whether it has happened before and whether you had pain, urinary symptoms, fever or clots.
They may also ask about urinary tract infections, kidney stones, prostate symptoms in men, smoking history, medicines, blood-thinning medication, previous urology problems and any relevant family history.
Urine testing may be used where appropriate to check for infection, blood and other changes. Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, your clinician may discuss further investigation of the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract.
The aim is to identify or rule out causes such as infection, stones, inflammation, prostate-related bleeding in men or bladder and kidney conditions. Your clinician will explain which investigations are relevant and why.
Treatment planning depends on the cause of the bleeding. If infection is found, treatment may be directed towards that. If stones, prostate issues, bladder changes or other findings are identified, your clinician will explain the appropriate pathway.
If no serious cause is found, you may need reassurance, monitoring or repeat testing depending on your situation. Your clinician will explain what follow-up is appropriate.
Follow-up depends on the results of your assessment. Some patients need no further action once a clear benign cause is found. Others may need monitoring, repeat urine testing or further specialist review.
If blood in the urine returns, becomes heavier or is associated with pain, fever or difficulty passing urine, further advice should be sought.
What causes haematuria?
There are many possible causes of blood in the urine. Most are not cancer, but investigation is important because the same symptom can have different explanations.
Urinary tract infection
Kidney stones
Benign enlarged prostate
Bladder or kidney inflammation
Medicines
Bladder or kidney cancer
Visible blood should not be ignored
Visible blood in the urine can be alarming, but it is important to stay calm and arrange assessment. Even a single episode can be relevant, particularly if it happens without pain.
Waiting to see if it comes back can delay diagnosis. In many cases, investigation finds a treatable or non-serious cause. For the smaller number of patients with a more serious cause, early investigation gives the best chance of timely treatment.
Your clinician will take a measured approach, explaining what is likely, what needs to be ruled out and what the next step involves.
When to seek urgent medical advice
Some symptoms need urgent care rather than a routine appointment.
Seek urgent medical advice through NHS 111, urgent care or emergency services if you have:
- Heavy visible blood in the urine
- Blood clots in the urine
- Difficulty passing urine
- Inability to pass urine
- Severe lower abdominal, back or side pain
- Fever, chills or feeling very unwell
- Vomiting or inability to keep fluids down
- Confusion or sudden worsening in general health
Do not wait for a private appointment if symptoms are severe, rapidly worsening or associated with feeling acutely unwell.
Private haematuria investigation near Newcastle
Tyneside Urology Partners provides private haematuria assessment and investigation planning near Newcastle from its clinic in Team Valley, Tyne & Wear. The clinic serves patients from Newcastle, Gateshead, Tyneside and across the North East.
A consultation gives you the opportunity to discuss visible or non-visible blood in the urine in a specialist setting. Your clinician will explain what may be causing the bleeding, which investigations may be needed and what the results mean for your next step.
Frequently asked questions
- I only saw blood once. Do I still need it checked?
Yes. Visible blood in the urine should be assessed even if it happens once, clears quickly or is not painful. Many causes are not serious, but it is important to rule out conditions that need treatment.
- Does blood in the urine mean cancer?
Usually not. Blood in the urine can be caused by infection, stones, benign prostate enlargement or inflammation. However, it can sometimes be an early sign of bladder or kidney cancer, so assessment is important.
- What is the difference between visible and non-visible haematuria?
Visible haematuria means you can see blood in the urine. Non-visible haematuria means blood is found on a urine test but cannot be seen by eye. Both may need assessment depending on the circumstances.
- What tests might I need for blood in the urine?
Assessment may involve urine testing and, where appropriate, further investigation of the bladder, kidneys and urinary tract. Your clinician will explain which tests are relevant based on your symptoms and risk factors.
- Can a urine infection cause blood in the urine?
Yes. A urinary tract infection can cause blood in the urine. However, blood should not automatically be assumed to be due to infection, especially if it is visible, recurrent or not clearly linked with infection symptoms.
- When is blood in the urine urgent?
Seek urgent medical advice if you pass clots, have heavy bleeding, cannot pass urine, have severe pain, fever, chills, vomiting or feel very unwell.
Book a haematuria investigation in Newcastle
If you have noticed blood in your urine, even once, a specialist consultation can help identify the likely cause and guide the next step. Make an enquiry with Tyneside Urology Partners today.
