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What Causes Blood In Urine?

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Posted on Mon, 27 Mar 2017
Question: A few minutes ago I urinated and there was blood in my urine. Can I wait until Monday to see my doctor without being in danger? (I've had an acute kidney issue in the past, but nothing like this.)
YYYY@YYYY
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (26 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Questions so that I can help:

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXX,

1. Are you having any other symptoms such as fever, low back or flank pain, nausea, burning or pain with urination?

2. What was the acute kidney issue you had in the past?

3. Are you taking any medications, including over the counter NSAIDs or other things, or have any ongoing health problems?

4. Are you sure the blood was in the urine or could it have come from the vagina?
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (52 minutes later)
1. Back pain

2. I was prescribed statins for my climbing cholesterol and it turned out I was allergic. Both of my kidneys shut down and was put on dialysis for 9 days - and more after I was discharged. After about 3 more weeks, I begged out of the hospital AMA, went home to some good food. I still went to dialysis for 3 more days out of the week. When I went to my PA (crying) for a blood test, it was determined I was no longer sick. Consequently, I was the object of conversation at doctor cocktail parties for a while.

3. Ew. Drugs. It should be noted here that my primary physician also has a degree pharmacy in addition to his medical degree. Here we go:
Levothyroxine sodi
Vitamin D3
Buproppion HCL xL
Atenolol
Gabapentin (for jittery feet)
Calcium
B-12
Krill Oil
Zalpelon
Cyclobenzaprine HC

4. I'm almost positive it was urinal.

5. Thank you for your help. Why does illness strike sometime after 5 on Friday and 9 a.m. Monday?



doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
I think you should be seen today.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Given that you have back pain, and to some extent given your kidney history, I recommend you go into the ER today.

My reason for this recommendation is that if there is pain in the area of your kidneys, then the hematuria could be from a problem in your kidneys rather than lower down in your bladder, for which it would be ok to wait. Stones or an infection on highest on my list. In the ER, they can not only get a urine sample to look for infection and signs of stones, but they can also get imaging studies, such as an X-ray (which can show stones) or an ultrasound (which can help show what is going on).

If this is a kidney infection, then you don't want to wait further. Usually with a kidney infection people feel ill too rather than just pain, but not always.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Dear Dr. BD,

The blood has disappeared. Back pain gone.

Another miracle? I think it gives me permission to wait until Monday. It's sort of like taking your car to the mechanic for a loud banging noise and when you get there, the car won't even peep for the mechanic.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
It's possible you passed a small stone. Yes, if your symptoms are gone, you can wait until tomorrow.

Yes, I know the phenomenon you are describing well. I have experienced that myself!


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (5 hours later)
How much do stones weigh? Will I drop to size 10? If so, how can I wash out a bunch more. You'er too young to pass foreign matter.

This exercise was rather dramatic and spooked me a bit. Should I expect it to happen again? If it happens during the Oscars, I'll gladly go the ER.

XXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for making me laugh, XXXX. I don't often get that opportunity!

Stones can be various sizes/weights. Some are so small the stone material is just called "gravel" and are passed without much incident. On the extreme end of urinary tract stones are "stag horn stones" which are called that because they fill up the inside spaces of the kidney and that shape looks like the horns of a male deer. That type is much less common and requires lithotripsy or surgery.

I don't know if the incident you had was definitely a stone or not. When you go in to your doctor, he/she will most likely send your urine specimen for urinalysis and there may be signs that might indicate having had a stone. But there may be nothing significant in the urinalysis. What's always best is if you can catch the stone with a special screen (like a sieve) when urinating and give that to the lab for analysis. Then you and your doctor have a better idea of what type of stone. Some types of stones are more common to reoccur. Your doctor may also want to get an X-ray or ultrasound to see if any stones can be seen. And an ultrasound can be helpful with seeing whether some other abnormalities are present as well. MRI is even better, but if everything is looking good with the previous tests, would likely not be necessary.

A urinalysis and X-ray or ultrasound should be done at minimum to make sure there aren't remaining stones and that there isn't any other obvious abnormality. Or your doctor might want you to see a urologist.

If it is thought that you passed a stone, consider decreasing salt intake somewhat, and avoid grapefruit juice.

I hope you enjoyed the Oscars.


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (3 hours later)
Well, doggone it all, BBD. Everything I love has been take away from me except my salt and my grapefruit and my grandchildren. If I give you my 7-year-old grandhellion and his 3-year-old grandhellion in training sister, can I keep the salt and grapefruit juice? I promise they're angels and will do everything you ask them to.

I don't see myself "catching" a stone in a sieve. But I'll give it a shot if you dare not tell anyone I tried it because my relatives are bad to ridicule. They would exaggerate the visual. I'm so glad the National Lampoon has gone under...

I do have one serious question: If an MRI is best, why would I go through the other first tests and use up more refined time without wasting time, resources, personnel? MD brilliance on the not-so-best tests?

You can give me answers whenever you can. The IT people seem to be having a problem.

Legal purposes? You must not have figured by now that I'm not litigious. If I had been, those statin companies would be buying me a new house or car or or at least lunch. Luckily I don't get tangled up with the medical field often because I'd rather be fishing - when I can sneak off work.

You don't get to laugh often? How morose! You must not have access to a television set around 6 p.m. to see what Trump has been doing.

The Oscars were beautific. I watched with the sound off and it was then, truly, entertainingl Their facial expressions, oh my...I've been eating Tums from the get-go to get over it.

Now, more of my knowlege and insights, please. If you feel the need, I can answer most of your questions. My fortune-telling and handwriting analysis I do on the side.

For you, I give a very good price.
XXXX
I hope this measures up. I'm a bit tired.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh (9 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Information

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Regarding "catching the stone", the doctor or lab can give you a special screen for this purpose.

Will you be able to get in to see your doctor today?

The tests the doctor will order will be partly based on the physical exam of where your back pain was located and his/her suspicions of what is going on.

Regarding going directly to an MRI, usually we do things in a step-wise fashion. So if an X-ray shows stones, then we don't have to go to the next step - we have an answer. By the way, certain stones (those that don't have a lot of calcium in them) don't always show up on X-ray.

Agree about the political news - oy.

Note: Consult a Urologist online for consultation about prostate and bladder problems, sexual dysfunction, kidney stones, prostate enlargement, urinary incontinence, impotence and erectile dysfunction - Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Bonnie Berger-Durnbaugh

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1991

Answered : 3134 Questions

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What Causes Blood In Urine?

Brief Answer: Questions so that I can help: Detailed Answer: Hello XXXX, 1. Are you having any other symptoms such as fever, low back or flank pain, nausea, burning or pain with urination? 2. What was the acute kidney issue you had in the past? 3. Are you taking any medications, including over the counter NSAIDs or other things, or have any ongoing health problems? 4. Are you sure the blood was in the urine or could it have come from the vagina?