What is blood in urine (hematuria)?
Hematuria, or blood in the urine, can be either gross (visible) or microscopic (as defined by more than three to five red blood cells per high power field when viewed under magnification). Gross hematuria can vary widely in appearance, from light pink to deep red with clots. Despite the quantity of blood in the urine being different, the types of conditions that can cause the problem are the same, and the workup or evaluation that is needed is identical.
People with gross hematuria usually present to their doctor with this as a primary complaint. Microscopic hematuria, on the other hand, is most commonly detected as part of a periodic checkup by a primary-care physician.
