Urine For Occult Blood

Function

The Urine Occult Blood test (often part of a dipstick urinalysis) is designed to detect the presence of hemoglobin or myoglobin in the urine that is not visible to the naked eye. Hemoglobin is the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen, and its presence in urine indicates the breakdown or leakage of blood cells into the urinary system.

Why it is Ordered

This test is a critical screening tool for identifying silent pathologies of the renal and urological systems. It is ordered during routine physicals, during pregnancy, or when evaluating:

• Suspected kidney stones (nephrolithiasis).
• Systemic hypertension.
• New-onset edema or swelling.
• Back or flank pain.

Associated Conditions

• Hematuria: Presence of intact red blood cells caused by stones, tumors, or trauma.
• Glomerulonephritis: Inflammation of the kidney's filtering units.
• Myoglobinuria: Release of muscle protein into the urine following severe muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis).
• Urinary Tract Malignancy: Bladder or kidney cancer can cause intermittent occult bleeding.
• Prostatitis: Inflammation of the prostate in men.