--- title: "Blood in urine: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers" description: "Blood in urine (haematuria) can be caused by infection, kidney stones or, rarely, bladder or kidney cancer — see a GP the same day, even if it stops." url: https://healthanswers.co.uk/symptoms/blood-in-urine/ robots: noindex --- # Blood in urine: When to See a GP | HealthAnswers Symptoms Blood in urine (haematuria) can be caused by infection, kidney stones or, rarely, bladder or kidney cancer — see a GP the same day, even if it stops. Written by HealthAnswers editorial team Medically reviewed by [HealthAnswers UK doctor review panel](https://healthanswers.co.uk/our-doctors/) Reviewed 3 July 2026 ## Quick answer What could blood in urine mean? Blood in urine (haematuria) may appear pink, red or brown, or be found only on a urine test. Causes range from urine infections and kidney stones to — rarely — bladder or kidney cancer. See a GP the same day for visible blood in urine, especially if you are over 45 or smoke — urgent assessment rules out serious causes. ## Who is this page for? This page is for people in the UK who want a plain-English overview of Blood in urine, including when to seek help and what NHS care usually involves. It explains general information, not what is wrong with you personally. ## Who should skip this page? Skip this page if you need a diagnosis, a prescription, or emergency care. It cannot replace a GP, pharmacist, NHS 111 or 999. If you are in immediate danger, call 999; for urgent advice that is not life-threatening, call 111 in England, Scotland or Wales, or use your GP out-of-hours service in Northern Ireland. On this page 8 sections ## Common causes of blood in urine - Blood may be visible (pink, red, brown urine) or invisible — found only on testing. - UTIs, kidney stones and exercise are common benign causes of blood in urine. - Visible blood in urine without pain still needs same-day GP assessment. - Bladder cancer is rare but more likely in smokers and people over 45. - Never ignore blood in urine, even if it happens once and then stops. ## Blood in urine always needs checking Blood in urine — haematuria — means red blood cells are present. It may be **visible** (the urine looks pink, red or brown) or **non-visible** (found only on a dipstick or laboratory test). Even a single episode of visible blood, or blood that appears once and stops, warrants **same-day GP assessment** because serious conditions — including bladder and kidney cancer — can be the cause. ## What you might notice with blood in urine You might notice: - your urine looks pink, red or tea-coloured - there are blood clots in your urine (this is less common) - you see no change at all, and blood is found on a routine urine test at the GP Blood at the **start** of urination may suggest a urethral or prostate source, while blood **throughout** the stream may indicate a bladder or kidney origin. Blood **at the end** may suggest a problem at the bladder neck or prostate. A GP interprets the pattern alongside test results. ## Common causes of blood in urine A **urinary tract infection (UTI)** causes burning when passing urine and needing to go frequently, sometimes with blood. UTIs are more common in women. **Kidney stones** cause severe pain in the back or side together with blood in the urine. See our kidney stones guide for more detail. **Exercise-induced haematuria** can follow long-distance running or intense exercise and causes temporary blood in the urine. It is a diagnosis of exclusion, meaning other causes must be ruled out first. An **enlarged prostate** in men can cause blood alongside urinary symptoms, typically over the age of 50. **Kidney inflammation (glomerulonephritis)** may cause blood in the urine together with swelling and high blood pressure. Some **medicines**, particularly anticoagulants (blood thinners), increase the risk of bleeding, but they do not explain blood in the urine without another underlying cause. **Bladder or kidney cancer** often causes **painless** visible blood. It is more common in smokers and in people over 45, and early diagnosis improves treatment success. ## When blood in urine is an emergency Call 999 if: - you cannot pass urine at all (retention) - you have severe pain with blood and feel very unwell - you have fever, rigors and blood in your urine with flank pain, which may indicate a kidney infection See a GP **the same day** for any visible blood — even without pain, and even if it happens only once. ## What assessment for blood in urine involves A GP will usually arrange several tests. **Urine tests** check for infection, blood and protein, and **blood tests** check kidney function. **Imaging**, such as an ultrasound or CT scan, examines the kidneys and urinary tract. A **cystoscopy** — a camera examination of the bladder — may also be recommended, especially if you are over 45, smoke, or have persistent blood. The assessment is structured to find treatable causes quickly. ## Do not ignore blood in urine Many people delay seeking help because the blood appeared once and then stopped, or because there is no pain. **Painless visible haematuria** is a classic presentation of bladder cancer, and early detection saves lives. Same-day GP assessment is the right response every time. ## Blood in urine and anticoagulants If you take warfarin, apixaban or a similar medicine and notice blood in your urine, see a GP the same day. Do not stop your anticoagulant without medical advice — but the bleeding still needs investigation. ## Conditions related to blood in urine If you also have burning when urinating and need to go frequently, a **UTI** may be the cause — but this still needs confirmation. Flank pain with blood suggests **kidney stones**. A GP connects your symptoms to the right tests. ## ! When to get medical help for blood in urine See a GP **the same day** if you see blood in your urine — even once, even if it stops and even without pain. Call **999** if you cannot pass urine at all, have severe pain with blood, or feel very unwell with fever and blood in urine. Same-day assessment is especially important if you are over 45, smoke, or have persistent or recurring blood. ## Common questions about blood in urine What does blood in urine look like? Urine may be pink, red, tea-coloured or brown. Sometimes blood is invisible and is found only when a GP or nurse tests the urine (non-visible haematuria). Even a single episode of visible blood needs assessment. What causes blood in urine? Common causes include urinary tract infections, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate in men, exercise-induced haematuria, and kidney inflammation. Less common causes include bladder or kidney cancer, blood clotting disorders, and certain medicines. A GP arranges tests to find the cause. Can blood in urine be harmless? Sometimes — vigorous exercise or minor infection can cause temporary blood. But because serious conditions including cancer can cause blood in urine, a GP should assess every episode to rule out important causes. What tests will a GP do for blood in urine? A GP will usually arrange urine tests, blood tests, and often referral for imaging such as an ultrasound or CT scan of the kidneys and bladder. Men may have a prostate examination, and cystoscopy (a camera into the bladder) may be recommended, especially over 45 or if tests are abnormal. Is blood in urine a sign of cancer? Bladder and kidney cancer can cause blood in urine — often without pain. It is not the most common cause, but early detection improves outcomes. This is why same-day GP assessment matters, especially for smokers and people over 45. ## Sources - [NHS — Blood in urine (haematuria)](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/blood-in-urine/)