What causes red blood cells to be found in a urine sample?
I have mild kidney disease, and have to get ‘pee tests’ every so often. My latest urinalysis results came back with the news that I have red blood cells in the urine. Apparently, that’s not supposed to happen. I’ve only ever had this result one other time, years ago when my kidneys were extremely stressed (I was pregnant. And NO, I’m not pregnant, now!) What mechanism of my body is producing this result? Is it always related to a kidney problem? Are there other causes, and if so, what are they?
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Red blood cells in your urine is called hematuria. There can be many causes. It could be a UTI, kidney stones. Do you have any symptoms?
do a google search on microscopic hematuria
Here’s a good article from Mayo Clinic
@kerplunk226 None that are new.
@gasman Thanks for the link. This part pertains to me:
It can be triggered by viral or strep infections, blood vessel diseases (vasculitis), and immune problems such as IgA nephropathy, which affects the small capillaries that filter blood in the kidneys (glomeruli).
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IgA nephropathy is the nephrologist’s best guess as to what type of kidney disease I have. I just wonder why now, you know? When the cells haven’t been present for years. :(
“I just wonder why now, you know?”
Many of these things build up over time. You often hear people say they have smoked for 40 years and haven’t had a problem, but if you did an appropriate scan their carotid arteries would be 60% occluded, and they could have a lethal stroke the next day. Although your case isn’t as drastic, whatever causes the hematuria has probably been building up over time, and has gradually weakened your urinary system to the point it is at today.
@augustlan From NIH (National Institutes of Health—as reputable a source as any):
“IgA nephropathy is a kidney disorder that occurs when IgA—a protein that helps the body fight infections—settles in the kidneys. After many years, the IgA deposits may cause the kidneys to leak blood and sometimes protein in the urine.
This validates @FireMadeFlesh‘s point about slow buildup.
“Many people with IgA nephropathy leak blood in the urine, but this leakage does not mean they will have long-term problems…”
A silver lining. But see article for caveats.
If you don’t already have a physician specialist (nephrologist, urologist, internist, etc.) on your case, I’d recommend getting one—don’t screw with your kidneys. Good luck!
go to the doctor!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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