Urine Blood
Urine Blood (Hematuria, dipstick)
A urine dipstick checks for a chemical signal associated with blood. It can detect amounts too small to see, but a positive result does not always mean intact red blood cells are present.
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What does a positive result mean?
A positive dipstick needs interpretation and usually a microscope check. It may relate to an infection, a stone, exercise or contamination from a period. Persistent blood needs follow-up even when there is no pain.
A dipstick does not confirm microscopic blood on its own
- Negative
- No blood signal detected by the dipstick
- Trace or positive
- A microscope check can confirm whether red blood cells are present
The AUA guideline recommends checking a positive dipstick with urine microscopy. Negative, trace and positive describe the screening result; they do not identify the cause or severity.
Sources: American Urological Association
What can change this result?
What can cause a positive result
- Menstrual blood entering the sample.
- Recent strenuous exercise.
- A urinary infection, stones or another kidney or urinary tract condition.
What makes a repeat more useful
- Follow clean-catch instructions and mention if you were on your period.
- Mention hard exercise or a recent infection before repeating the test.
- Ask whether microscopy is needed to confirm red blood cells.
The strip can also react to blood or muscle pigments. Do not assume a positive result is dehydration or that drinking extra water resolves the cause.
What should I do next?
- Ask whether urine microscopy was done and whether a fresh, clean-catch sample is needed.
- Mention your period, recent exercise, urinary symptoms and medicines.
- Get medical advice for blood you can see. Inability to urinate, severe pain or fever needs urgent assessment.
How this test works
The strip reacts to a pigment found in blood and muscle. Microscopy checks for actual red blood cells. These tests answer related but different questions, so a positive strip and a low cell count can occur together.