Blood in Urine Test (Urinalysis for Hematuria)
A simple urine test that checks for the presence of blood (red blood cells) in your urine. It uses a visual and microscopic examination of a urine sample to determine whether blood is present when there should be none.
{"This test detects blood in urine, which is not normally present","A positive result may indicate infection, kidney stones, or other urinary tract issues","The test is performed on a urine sample collected in a sterile container","Results are typically available within the same day"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 53963-5
- Short code
- BLD/urine
- Synonyms
- Blood Ur Ql Visual
- Category
- chemistry
- Sample
- urine
- Container
- Clean dry sterile urine container (cup or tube)
- Units
- not specified
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- ≥ 0 years
- Method
- visual
- CPT
- 81000
- SNOMED
- 39579001
- Specimen volume
- 10-50 mL preferred; minimum 5 mL sufficient for analysis
- Stability
- Room temperature: 2 hours; Refrigerated (2-8°C): 24 hours; Do not freeze
- Hemolysis max
- 0
- Lipemia max
- 0
- Icterus max
- 0
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
- Order
- routine
What is this test?
The Blood in Urine test, also known as urinalysis for hematuria, is a visual examination of your urine to detect the presence of blood. Under normal circumstances, urine should not contain any visible blood. This test uses chemical and microscopic methods to identify red blood cells (RBCs) that may be present in your urine sample.
How is the test performed?
You will be asked to provide a clean catch urine sample. For this, you will clean your genital area before urinating, then begin urinating into the toilet, and then catch the middle portion of your urine stream in a sterile container provided by the lab. The sample is then analyzed visually under a microscope to look for red blood cells.
How to prepare for the test
No special preparation is usually required. However, it is best to avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours before the test, as exercise can sometimes cause blood to appear in urine. Inform your doctor about any medications or supplements you are taking, as some can affect test results. For women, the test should ideally be performed when not menstruating, as menstrual blood can contaminate the sample.
Understanding your results
Results are typically reported as negative (normal) or positive (abnormal). A negative result means no visible blood was detected in your urine, which is the expected normal finding. A positive result means blood was detected, which requires further investigation to determine the cause. Your healthcare provider will discuss your specific results with you and recommend any necessary follow-up tests or treatment.
Reference range
Negativenot specified
Clean-catch midstream urine preferred; avoid collection during menses if possible
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
◆Associated findings1
Frequently asked questions
Is blood in urine always a sign of a serious condition?
Will I need other tests if blood is found in my urine?
Can I do the test at home?
Does the test hurt?
Sources
- 1
- 2Mayo Clinic - HematuriaSource
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 16, 2026. · Read our editorial policy