Blood in the urine: which doctor should I see?
Blood can turn the urine pink, red or brown, and sometimes it is found only in a test. The cause is often treatable, such as an infection or stones, but blood in the urine should always be examined without delay — even if it happened only once and there was only a little. Here you will learn what may be behind it, when it is urgent and which specialist to see.
Book a specialistWhen it is urgent
- There is a lot of blood in the urine, or there are large clots.
- You cannot pass urine at all — even without pain or a swollen belly.
- Confusion, unusual drowsiness or being hard to wake, difficulty speaking, fast breathing, pale, blue or blotchy skin, or a rash that does not fade when pressed.
- Sudden, very severe pain in the belly or back, especially with pale or grey skin, difficulty breathing or fainting.
- The blood in the urine appeared after a serious accident, such as a car crash, or after a hard blow to the belly or lower back.
With these signs, seek emergency help — call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department.
Call 112What it may mean
- A urinary tract or kidney infection — burning and frequent urination, sometimes a fever and pain in the lower back.
- Stones in the kidney or the ureter — severe pain that comes in waves, in the side of the lower back or in the groin.
- An enlarged prostate in men — difficult and frequent urination and getting up often at night.
- Kidney disease — the blood is often found only in a test, sometimes with swollen legs and high blood pressure.
- Less often, cancer of the bladder, kidney or prostate — which is why blood in the urine is always examined, even without pain.
- Colour that does not come from the urinary tract — beetroot, some medicines or a period can colour the urine; if you are not sure, have it checked.
Which specialist
How to prepare for the visit
Note when you noticed the blood, what colour the urine is, whether there are clots, pain, burning or a fever, and whether you have recently had a period, hard physical exercise or a blow. Bring earlier urine and blood test results and ultrasounds, and a list of the medicines you take. Do not stop blood-thinning medicines on your own — the blood in the urine still needs to be examined.
Frequently asked questions
Should I see a doctor if the blood appeared only once?
Yes. Book a visit without delay if you see blood in your urine — even if it happened once, there was only a little, you have no other complaints or you are not sure it is blood. The same applies if the blood comes with a fever or chills, pain in the lower back, the side or low in the abdomen, nausea or vomiting, or if you are pregnant.
What tests may the doctor order?
Usually a urine test and a blood test, and sometimes an ultrasound or a CT scan. The urologist may look inside the bladder with a thin camera (cystoscopy) and, in men, examine the prostate too. In women, the doctor may check whether the blood comes from the vagina.
Urologist or nephrologist?
The first step can be your GP, who orders a urine test and refers you. For visible blood in the urine, stones or difficulty passing urine, the specialist is a urologist. For changes in kidney function tests, a nephrologist.
This information does not replace a visit to a doctor.