[Merle]

Hi All

I have perpetual "moderate" blood, without protein, in my urine.

I have had an ultrasound which showed no problems with my kidneys. The rheumatologist said it is probably just one of those unexplained things that I have probably always had!

Anyone else have a similar condition and if so what was the explanation?

Thanks

Merle

 

[Merle]

Hi

As I posted this thread - an old joke came back to me on the nature of women. It goes along the lines:-

Women! You just can't trust anyone who bleeds continuously for five days without dying!?!?!

Merle

 

[Maia]

Have you had an xray or CT scan of your kidneys? They are better at identifying kidney stones which can be a cause of blood in urine too. Some people with lupus will just have the blood in their urine too and no protein.

I hope it doesn't cause you any pain at least - sounds like it doesn't.

 

[Zoi]

Hey there,

I had blood in my U/A for quite some time at first. In my case it was gross hematuria and it was disease related. Do you know if your U/A had red blood cell casts in it at all? RBC casts can be associated with lupus but then again so can hematuria by it self. Have you had kidney function tests? If you have and they're normal and the blood loss isn't major (i.e. enough to cause anemia) then I wouldn't worry too much about it!

Having said that of course, like Maia mentioned in her post there are other reasons for hematuria besides lupus like kidney stones. Ultrasound would usually be enough to detect kidney stones, but CAT scans are a lot more precise and can find "sneaky" stones that may be causing hematuria!

:flowery:

Zoi

 

[ROSJAC]

HI, I also have blood in urine(cannot see it) and no protein. Had several CT scans. Was told Lupus affects my filtration system. This has been happening for numerous years. Wish I could be of more help. Rosie

 

[Surferboy]

I too was told recently that I had blood in my urine. This was just done via a dipstick test but my rhumy said that this means nothing - not a sign of kidney involvement - until the urine is sent off for a proper lab test. If after that there definitely is blood in the urine then they will start taking action.

May be someone else can shed more light on this? I would have thought that blood in the urine almost definitely (with Lupus patients) would indicate some kind of organ involvement???

 

[halfpintfl]

Hi, a very cute comment to your own post. All I would suggest is, you know when you have a "standing order" for your blood? , well , I would ask your dr. if he
would set you up on a standing order for this urine problem. Just a thought.
I hope you feel better, and find some answers. Smile

 

[Merle]

Hi All

Thanks for your comments. My urine has been lab tested and confirmed the blood.

I think I'll just have to pursue this again with my rheumatologist when I see him again in July.

Thanks again.

Merle

 

[Surferboy]

So, if blood is found in the urine is this pretty much an indication of kidney / organ involvement for Lupus patients?

 

[Clare.T]

I would certainly want blood in urine thoroughly investigated but there are a number of tests than would indicate kidney problems if that's what's causing it. There are also a number of possible causes.

I can't see any point in speculating that blood in urine is more likely to indicate kidney disease in lupus patients more than others. Where does such speculation get a person other than to increase anxiety?

I wouldn't even know if more lupus patients get kidney disease than non lupus patients. It is certainly more likely to be detected in early stages because most of us have regular check ups which should include urine.

I agree about asking for a regular urine test if it isn't included in the usual blood tests. That's what I have done because my 3/4 monthly blood and liver function tests are for side effects of meds not for lupus activity per se. I also want testing for asymptomatic UTI's and diabetes. I get a full lupus work up only about every 14 months which is when I see my consultant. Otherwise I expect my GP would deal with any particular concerns as they crop up, ordering the blood tests and further urine tests and any other tests such as imaging, or referral to a specialist.

The main causes of blood in the urine are:-

1. Infection
2. Kidney stones
3. Tumours in the bladder or kidney
4. Harmless leakage from the bladder area
5. Glomerulonephritis

The initial assessment in someone with haematuria is to determine the following:-

1. Is there any infection (eg pain passing urine)
2. Is blood in the urine visible to the naked eye?
3. What is the level of protein in the urine?
4. What is the overall function of the kidneys (blood creatinine level or eGFR)

Some people will no further investigations after the treatment of an infection. If there is blood visible to the naked eye, with no pain and no protein in the urine, a referral to a urology specialist may be necessary to make sure there are no tumours or other bleeding points in the bladder or kidneys. If blood is not visible to the naked eye, a glomerulonephritis may be suspected, especially if there is also protein in the urine and the kidney function is reduced. Referral to a kidney specialist (nephrologist) may be needed if glomerulonephritis is suspected and the kidney function is reduced.

See also

http://www.labtestsonline.org.uk/understanding/conditions/kidney-4.html

Cheers
Clare

 

[debatat]

Hi Surferboy

Blood in urine can be a urine infection, nsaids or other things. If you have blood in your urine it should always be checked with your doc. If you are worried I would speak to your doc. There are degrees of kidney involvement that range from the very mild where they just monitor as no treatment is necessary, to the more severe where it is obvious that something is wrong. Hope this helps till someone more knowledgeable comes along to help you.

Hope you are well

Deb

P.s. clare has already answered !!

 

[Surferboy]

Thanks for the replies.

Debatat, what you say about NSAIDS may hopefully shine some light on my diagnosis as I have been taking ibuprofen (2 a day) for the last week or so.

Let's just wait and see what the lab results say

 

[debatat]

Surferboy

I have got to ask I'm a footie mom :lol: How's things going with your footie? With the steroids are you managing? Hope you are.

Deb

 

[Merle]

Clare - Thanks very much for your informative post.

Merle

 

[Surferboy]

Hi Debatat, let me start another thread to answer your question. Its in Living with Lupus

 

[debatat]

Hi merle

Didn't mean to be rude sorry. I posted my question in the wrong place, unfortunately I have only just realised. Please accept my apologies.

I hope that the doc manages to get to the bottom of your problem.

Sorry again.

Deb

 

[onetay]

Merle,
A couple years ago I had what they called a pocket of blood. I had to go to the bathroom really bad and when I finally did find one and went I had solid blood come out with the urine. I have had a hyst. and so it was not the period, should not of had any blood from there. They did a scope test and said everything was ok. It must of been a build up of blood and the pressure of having to go to the bathroom broke it loose. Ok well that did not make any sense to me either. I think when doctor don't know what is going on they just come up with something that can't be found out to be true or false. I wish you well and hope that you are doing well also.