Urologist. :( - Columbia Station,OH

I have had benign microscopic hematuria for 20+ years. I was diagnosed in my early 20's. I've had every test under the sun (several tests have been done multiple times) and they have found nothing. Some people have this condition lifelong without any problems. I don't have an problems with recurring UTIs, pain, etc. My condition is monitored by my PCP and urologist on a regular basis.

Have they done a urine cytolgoy culture checking for malignancies? They will most likely do a cysto which now can be done in the office rather than an outpatient procedure. A small scope is inserted to look at the bladder and urethra. The test is mildly uncomfortable but nothing horrible. I was able to get up and drive myself home without incident. Other tests could include IVP (intravenous pyelogram) and renal ultrasound.

Hematuria can mean a million things and most causes are not anything to worry about. You are very smart to follow up on this. You can't change it so try to relax and not think the worst (easier said than done, I know).

I see a urologist due to too many UTIs & back to back including blood in urine not all the time but enough to cause for concern.Back 5 yrs ago is when my pains began then I was diagnosed with Intercistal cystitus now going to PT for over a yr. now to help deal with the pain.I still have UTIs but when I go in to see my urologist she does them sterile other docs will let me do a clean catch which is nice considering my history.I haven't had bladder surgery yet but sure looks like it will be I go back in a few weeks to re-evaluate my progress.I did to think of cancer till I point blank asked & they wren't concerned that it was they have seen it before & the symptoms didn't fit nor did the lab work.But blood in urine is scary it's microscopic if I seen it i'd freak out.Back when fist diagnosed I wasn't referred to a urologist so I was dealing with it alone till finally my primary care doc refrred me to one canceled my first appt. waited it out till I talked myself into going now I understand what i've been going through all this time & still learning.

Well, I need to go too and not for exactly your reason but I too am scared. I canceled the second time today and will go in January partly due to insurance change but mainly due to fear. I have a friend who had bladder surgery 4 times so she told me they often use catheters and cameras to see inside. I don't know if they'll do that in your case or not but just remember it won't last long whatever they do and with your history of bladder cancer in the family you really want to have it checked now. I got a very long paper to fill out before I go and it asks everything you could imagine. Since you are having a different issue most likely they will just do testing for blood in the urine and maybe use the camera to look inside. Maybe you could call and ask what they'll do to be prepared. Sorry I'm not really any help but understand the nervousness.

I went to see a urologist when I was around your age for MULTIPLE repeat urinary tract infections. Depending on the severity of a UTI, you can have white blood cells and blood in your urine. It could also be a kidney infection. Do you have any other symptoms? Pain when you urinate? Lower back pain? Feeling like you have to go all the time? Please don't jump straight to cancer, it could be (and likely is!) something else.

I knew that I had a history of 4 or more UTIs a month so we just talked at my appoinment and I went on a low dose of long term antibiotics (around 3 months) and that got rid of them for me. That was my experience with the urologist. If they have to use a catheter, it's not the worst thing in the world. A bit of a pinch but then you don't feel much at all. Good luck and hoping it's something very easy to fix!

I have been to a urologist more times than I can count. Blood in your urine can also be a sign of kidney stones. They aren't a big deal (as in they are so treatable), but they are a huge pain in the back - literally!

When I've had kidney stones, the urologist will often order x-rays. I basic x-ray is helpful, but sometimes they need to see things better than that. The doctor can order a type of x-ray (no idea what it's called) where they inject die into you so that it makes specific things easier to see. No big deal. It's one injection, and then they take a series of pictures. If they really need to see really, really well, they may have you fast for a period of time and take something to "clean out the pipes." A bit annoying, but not too big a deal.

I've also had to do a urine collection. I was actually asked to do one last year and kept putting it off and kind of forgot about it. I've done a 24 hour collection and a 48 hour collection. There's just so much the doctor can learn this way.

I've never had an ultrasound for urology, just pregnancy, but I know that these can be helpful as well.

Please try not to worry about it. Right now you are thinking the worst, and it really could be something that is very, very treatable. The best thing you can do is see the doctor, ask questions and go for any tests. Right now you need answers, and the only way to get them is to face your fears.

Hang in there!

Hi B.,
I have trace amounts of blood, white blood cells, and protein in my urine too and so does my young son. As I found out through my urologist, that sometimes unexplained microscopic hematuria runs in families like it does in mine. But in order to rule out cancer we both had a battery of tests done. None were very invasive and were done in the doctor's office. The first thing our doctor did was an ultrasound of the entire renal system from kidneys down to the bladder. Then I had an MRI with radioactive dye to better see the kidneys, and I had a scope done of the bladder. Everything checked out fine, other than they found I have some genetic abnormalities of my kidney, which have been there since birth. I used to live in the Virgin Islands and so they also found a parasite that must have been attained through the water down there. That was also irritating the lining in my bladder and they gave me some Coloidal Silver to get rid of that.

I hope you have the same happy outcome. Meanwhile, I will forever more test positive for small amounts of blood in my urine and unless it gets worse or I have symptoms of a UTI, they told me to not worry about it. I'm glad you are getting it checked out though, especially with your dad's history. By the way, if you smoke or drink diet sodas, you might want to consider stopping those. They can be a leading cause of bladder & kidney problems as I found out, too.

At 22, you should be fine.

I've had the tests, had a CT scan to look at my kidneys, etc. All was fine and were easy tests.

The reason that you need to go no is to: 1) you are "high risk" since your dad has bladder cancer 2) make sure all is fine. 3) create a baseline of facts to look back on in years to come.

Don't worry, there is nothing you can do except be proactive and get tested.

Good luck but I am sure all will turn out ok.