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Urology (Expert Forum)
Blood in urine after...
Questions in the Urology forum are answered by Dr. Stephen Liroff, affiliated with the Henry Ford Hospital. Topics covered include benign prostate disease, penis curvature, cystisis, kidney stones, pediatric urology, prostate, sexual dysfunction, urinary tract infections (UTI), and urological cancers.
Blood in urine after...
by JZ__0, Jul 05, 1998 12:00AM
I missed the end of April and the beginning of May due to a deep seeded kidney infection (E-Coli) I mistook for the flu. Stomach, headache, chills, sweats, and high fever--lovely. Fortunately, it responded well to antibiotics and it was caught before I had problems with urosepsis and I feel fine.
I went back to the doctor two weeks ago and he took a urinalysis sample and discovered blood in the urine. He's not a worrier and was very concerned. He asked me to come back in a week. I did, and still blood in the urine. He's talking about some very intrusive tests here and I feel fine. (I wasn't crazy about finding myself in the hospital.)
Do I have cause to worry and what kinds of tests will I have to go through to find out I'm fine? They sound awful! Something about a scope...
JZ
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Dear JZ
Hematuria (blood in the urine), is divided into gross hematuria (blood that you can see in the urine) or microscopic hematuria (detected by a urinalysis). Since both types of hematuria are abnormal, it necessitates workup via a upper and lower urinary tract workup. A lower urinary tract workup is achieved by performing a cystoscopy through which one a able to directly visualize the bladder and urethra for any possible stones, tumors, or any other lesions that may be responsible for the hematuria.
To perform an upper urinary tract evaluation to assess the kidneys and ureters, an IVP (Intravenous pyelogram) is customary. An IVP entails a series of X-Ray tests of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder after a contrast dye is administered. An alternative to an IVP is performing a renal ultrasound with a KUB(single X-Ray shot of the Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder without contrast). Although these tests may sound somewhat invasive, they are actually not that bad when you compare them to other tests and procedures.
The only uncomfortable part of the evaluation is the cystoscopy which is better tolerated by females than males due to the shorter urethral length. However, with the advent of the flexible cystoscope this evaluation can be performed is a less painful manner. I think that your doctor’s concern regarding your hematuria is legitimate and that you should go through the evaluation to rule out any problems that may be responsible for this.
Keep in mind that there may be residual hematuria after a deep seeded kidney infection (pyelonephritis) and workup is best if hematuria persists 4-6 weeks after the infection is fully treated. Also keep in mind that your workup may be entirely negative. However, at least you can have piece of mind that you’ve been worked up and don’t have an infectious stone for example.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Wish you the best,
Sincerely,
HFHS-M.D. JJ
*Keyword: Hematuria
I went back to the doctor two weeks ago and he took a urinalysis sample and discovered blood in the urine. He's not a worrier and was very concerned. He asked me to come back in a week. I did, and still blood in the urine. He's talking about some very intrusive tests here and I feel fine. (I wasn't crazy about finding myself in the hospital.)
Do I have cause to worry and what kinds of tests will I have to go through to find out I'm fine? They sound awful! Something about a scope...
JZ
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dear JZ
Hematuria (blood in the urine), is divided into gross hematuria (blood that you can see in the urine) or microscopic hematuria (detected by a urinalysis). Since both types of hematuria are abnormal, it necessitates workup via a upper and lower urinary tract workup. A lower urinary tract workup is achieved by performing a cystoscopy through which one a able to directly visualize the bladder and urethra for any possible stones, tumors, or any other lesions that may be responsible for the hematuria.
To perform an upper urinary tract evaluation to assess the kidneys and ureters, an IVP (Intravenous pyelogram) is customary. An IVP entails a series of X-Ray tests of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder after a contrast dye is administered. An alternative to an IVP is performing a renal ultrasound with a KUB(single X-Ray shot of the Kidneys, Ureters, and Bladder without contrast). Although these tests may sound somewhat invasive, they are actually not that bad when you compare them to other tests and procedures.
The only uncomfortable part of the evaluation is the cystoscopy which is better tolerated by females than males due to the shorter urethral length. However, with the advent of the flexible cystoscope this evaluation can be performed is a less painful manner. I think that your doctor’s concern regarding your hematuria is legitimate and that you should go through the evaluation to rule out any problems that may be responsible for this.
Keep in mind that there may be residual hematuria after a deep seeded kidney infection (pyelonephritis) and workup is best if hematuria persists 4-6 weeks after the infection is fully treated. Also keep in mind that your workup may be entirely negative. However, at least you can have piece of mind that you’ve been worked up and don’t have an infectious stone for example.
This information is provided for general medical education purposes only. Please consult your physician for diagnostic and treatment options pertaining to your specific medical condition. More individualized care is available at the Henry Ford Hospital and its satellites (1 800 653 6568).
Wish you the best,
Sincerely,
HFHS-M.D. JJ
*Keyword: Hematuria
