What should you know about a blood-in-urine dipstick?

The blood pad on a dipstick reacts to haemoglobin or myoglobin as well as intact red blood cells. This means a positive result can occur when blood cells are present, but it does not show the source or severity. A urinary tract infection can present with dipstick blood and burning or urgency. Kidney stones can present with dipstick blood and colicky side pain. Kidney infection, prostatitis, prostate enlargement, bladder cancer, prostate cancer, and sickle cell disease are other conditions that can present with blood in urine. A negative strip also does not replace clinical judgement when urine is visibly bloody or symptoms continue.

Ask what the result means in the context of your symptoms and provide a fresh, clean sample if requested. Microscopy can check for red blood cells, while culture can look for infection. Tell the clinician about menstruation, vigorous exercise, recent injury, medicines, supplements, and reduced fluid intake, as these details can affect interpretation. Do not self-treat from the strip alone. Keep the result and arrange follow-up if the finding persists or returns.

Seek urgent help for clots, inability to urinate, severe flank pain, fever with shaking chills, repeated vomiting, faintness, confusion, or very low urine output. Visible blood needs clinical advice even when a home dipstick is negative. If pregnant or living with kidney disease, contact your healthcare team promptly.

Was the sample suitable for testing? Do I need microscopy or culture? Could exercise, menstruation, or a medicine affect the result? What follow-up is needed if the strip stays positive?