- Causes of hemoglobin in urine
- How to identify
- Main signs and symptoms
- How to treat hemoglobin in urine
The presence of hemoglobin in urine, scientifically called hemoglobinuria, occurs when red blood cells, which are elements of the blood, are destroyed and one of its constituents, hemoglobin is eliminated by the urine, giving it a reddish and transparent color.
However, the presence of hemoglobin in the urine does not always cause symptoms and is only detected by chemical examination with a reagent strip or microscopic examination, and should be treated as soon as possible by the urologist.
Hemoglobin in urine can appear in children, adults and even in pregnancy, due to kidney infections, the presence of kidney stones or serious kidney diseases, such as pyelonephritis or cancer, for example. Sometimes, at the same time as hemoglobinuria, hematuria occurs, which is the urine with blood and it is necessary to go to the doctor to analyze the cause. Learn about bloody urine.
Causes of hemoglobin in urine
In normal urine examination, no hemoglobin should be found in the urine. However, hemoglobin can arise as a consequence of some situations, such as:
- Kidney problems such as acute nephritis or pyelonephritis; Severe burns; Kidney cancer; Malaria; Transfusion reaction; Urinary tract tuberculosis; Sickle cell anemia; Strenuous physical activity; Hemolytic uremic syndrome.
In addition, the presence of hemoglobin in the urine may be due to excessive cold or nocturnal paroxysmal hemoglobinuria, which is a rare type of hemolytic anemia in which there is an alteration in the membrane of red blood cells, which results in its destruction and the presence of red blood cell components. in the urine. Learn more about Paroxysmal Night Hemoglobinuria.
How to identify
Hemoglobin in the urine is positive when, after the chemical test with a reagent strip, signs, traces or crosses appear on the strip, and negative when there are no changes.
Generally, the more dashes or crosses are present on the strip, the greater the amount of blood in the urine. However, it is always necessary to read the instructions on the reagent strip packaging, as the analysis of the results depends on the reagent strip laboratory.
In addition to the strip test, you can also perform a microscopic examination, through sedimentcopy, which detects the amount of blood present. In this case, it is considered normal to have less than 3 to 5 red blood cells per field or less than 10, 000 cells per ml. Here's how to understand the urine test.
Main signs and symptoms
Hemoglobinuria does not always cause symptoms, however, there may be changes in the urine, such as red and transparent urine. In severe cases, due to the loss of a large amount of hemoglobin, which is responsible for transporting oxygen and nutrients, it can cause easy tiredness, fatigue, pallor and even anemia.
How to treat hemoglobin in urine
Treatment for hemoglobin in the urine depends on the cause and should be guided by a urologist. During treatment, it may be necessary to use drugs such as antibiotics or antianemics or the application of a bladder catheter.
