Symptom guide · Haematuria

Blood in urine: private urology assessment

Last updated: 9 June 2026 · Reviewed by Mr Sanjay Rajpal, Consultant Urological Surgeon · GMC 6106646

Blood in the urine is called haematuria. It may be visible, where the urine looks red, pink or cola-coloured, or non-visible, where blood is found on a urine test. It is often caused by infection, stones or prostate enlargement, but it should not be ignored.

Safety point: NHS advice is to get blood in urine checked, even if it happens once and then clears.

Common causes

Haematuria can come from any part of the urinary tract, including the kidneys, ureters, bladder, prostate or urethra. Causes include urinary infection, kidney stones, enlarged prostate, vigorous exercise, blood-thinning medication, kidney disease and, less commonly, bladder, kidney or prostate cancer.

What a urologist looks for

The first task is to decide whether the blood is linked to infection, stone disease, prostate obstruction, kidney causes or a bladder problem. Assessment may include urine microscopy and culture, kidney function blood tests, PSA where appropriate, CT or ultrasound imaging, and flexible cystoscopy to inspect the bladder lining.

When assessment is more urgent

Visible blood in the urine, especially without infection symptoms.
Blood with clots, difficulty passing urine or new pain.
Blood plus fever, flank pain or feeling systemically unwell.
Recurrent blood on urine testing.
Smoking history, age over 45, or previous urological cancer.

Private investigation pathway

Private assessment can help coordinate tests quickly and explain the results in one pathway. If a cancer pathway is clinically appropriate, Mr Rajpal will advise clearly on the safest route and timing. If the cause is benign, the plan may involve treating infection, stone disease, prostate obstruction or bladder inflammation.

Visible and non-visible haematuria

Visible haematuria means you can see blood in the urine. Non-visible haematuria means blood is found on dipstick or laboratory testing. Both can be important, but the pathway depends on age, symptoms, infection results, smoking history, medications and whether blood persists after infection has been treated.

What to bring

Bring urine results, culture reports, blood tests, previous scans and a medication list, especially blood-thinning medicines. It is also helpful to note whether the blood came at the start, throughout, or at the end of passing urine, whether there were clots, and whether there was pain or infection at the same time.

Clinics

Consultations are available at Spire Leeds Hospital and The Yorkshire Clinic in Bingley. Existing GP test results, urine results, scan reports and medication lists are useful to bring or send before the appointment.