Blood in Urine in Lagos: Is It Serious? What Tests Do You Need?
Seeing blood in your urine: whether it makes the urine pink, red, or brown, is always a symptom that needs investigation. Most causes are treatable. Some require urgent attention. This page explains the common causes, the red flags, and what to do at Mascot Healthcare.
What Causes Blood in Urine?
Blood in urine (haematuria) can come from anywhere in the urinary tract, the kidneys, ureters, bladder, or urethra. The most common causes are infection or kidney stones; the most important to exclude are bladder tumours and kidney disease.
The most common cause: burning urination, frequency, and small amounts of blood. Usually clears with antibiotics. Very common in women.
Severe, cramping, one-sided flank pain radiating to the groin, often with visible blood in urine. The stone irritates the ureter lining.
A parasitic infection endemic in parts of Nigeria, painless blood in urine at the end of urination (terminal haematuria). Treated with medicine prescribed by a doctor.
Enlarged prostate causing urethral irritation: blood mixed with urine, associated with weak stream or urinary difficulty in older men.
Painless blood in urine in a person over 45, especially a smoker, requires urgent cystoscopy to exclude bladder cancer.
Blood in urine with protein, ankle swelling, and elevated blood pressure, a sign of kidney inflammation requiring specialist review.
🚨 Go to hospital or clinic today if you have:
- Painless blood in urine in anyone over 45, bladder tumour must be excluded
- Blood in urine with a fever above 38.5°C and loin pain, possible kidney infection (pyelonephritis)
- Blood in urine after a fall or road traffic accident
- Blood in urine with inability to urinate, urinary retention
- Blood in urine with significant weight loss or night sweats
- Recurrent blood in urine despite treated UTIs
What Tests Do You Need for Blood in Urine?
Recommended at Mascot Healthcare
Urine Dipstick + Microscopy: Confirms blood, detects infection, checks for protein, the first essential test. Results in 30 minutes.
Urine Culture & Sensitivity: Identifies the causative bacteria in UTI and selects the correct antibiotic, results in 48 hours.
Kidney Function Test (Creatinine, eGFR): Checks whether kidney function is affected by the underlying cause.
Abdominal / Renal Ultrasound: Assesses kidney size, echogenicity, stones, hydronephrosis, and bladder wall.
PSA Test (Men over 50): If prostate origin is suspected: PSA levels and prostate scan.
What to Do Right Now
Blood in urine should be assessed on the day you notice it, not waited on. Painless blood in an older adult is particularly urgent.
Blood at the start of urination (initial haematuria) suggests urethral source. Blood throughout (total haematuria) suggests bladder or kidney. Blood at the end (terminal) suggests bladder or prostate.
Collect a clean-catch mid-stream urine sample in a clean container if possible, saves time at the clinic.
Staying hydrated dilutes urine and reduces the risk of stone lodging. Continue drinking water normally.
Blood in your urine? Get a same-day urine test and kidney assessment at Mascot Healthcare.
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Last updated 31 October 2026.