What Causes Blood In Urine?

Posted on Tue, 17 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 17 Jun 2014 Answered on

Mon, 7 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello Dr,

I'm what I consider a physically fit & active 32 year old. I just had a basic physical an hour ago where they screened my urine using a "dipstick" test. My result came back positive for the blood in my urine, so I'm having the result sent to lab for micro testing. 3 or 4 days ago I had a tetanus pertussis vaccine, blood drawn, & a TB skin (bump) test. Then today (about 4 or 5 hours before my physical) I had an MMR booster shot & a 2nd TB skin test. Could any/all of this potentially trigger a false positive for blood on the dipstick urine screening? I've heard they aren't extremely accurate, & fairly often result in false positives for blood in urine.

Thanks for your wisdom!
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (27 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
I don't think so

Detailed Answer:
HI XXXXXXX

Welcome to HealthcareMagic.

I don't think that the various vaccines that you had could have cause the urine dipstick to turn positive for blood.

Yes these dipsticks test are not very accurate, and that is the reason why you have been sent to the lab for micro testing, for confirmation.

RBCs or blood is usually seen in case of renal or ureteric stone. So have you experienced ant pain in your groin or lumbar region in the past few days, or any burning sensation during urination? If yes, then you will need an ultrasound scan to look for the stones.

Hope, i have been helpful.

Regards,
Dr. Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Deepika Patil (8 hours later)

Hello Dr. XXXXXXX

No, I have not experienced any abdominal, groin, lumbar, or flank pain whatsoever. I also forgot to mention there was no abnormal discoloration to my urine. I can't think of any abnormal pain or problems in any part of my body. Is it normal or "OK" for a healthy individual to have a small or trace amount of microscopic RBC's in urine occasionally?

Thanks,
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Deepika Patil (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
yes it is possible

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXXXXX

Yes it is possible to get a trace amount of microscopic RBC's in urine occasionally.

Normally upto 1-2 rbcs/hpf may be seen sometimes. But more than that is usually not normal.

Don't worry, first you get the reports then we will see about the further course of action.

Regards,
Dr. Deepika Patil

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj