Occult Blood Microscopy Random Urine Test is performed to determine whether invisible (occult) blood is present in the urine.
Importance of this test:
The presence of occult blood cannot be identified with the naked eye. Presence of occult blood in the urine may be a sign of kidney disease, urinary tract infection, or liver disease. Normally, the urine does not contain blood because the kidneys prevent blood from entering the urine. Therefore, the presence of occult blood in the urine may indicate that your kidneys are not working properly. The condition of the presence of blood in urine is known as hematuria. This test helps to determine the presence of red or white blood cells in the urine.
Why this test is performed?
This test is performed as part of a urinalysis or to screen for any conditions such as kidney disorders or urinary tract infections. If you have symptoms like abdominal pain, back pain, painful or frequent urination, then the doctor may recommend doing this test. Your doctor may advise you to perform this test if he suspects a kidney or bladder cancer or if you have a family history of kidney or bladder cancer. This test is one among many tests to confirm kidney or bladder cancer.
If you have a family history of kidney or bladder cancer, your doctor may advise you to get this test done once in every 6 months to once in a year based on your clinical condition. If you are diagnosed with kidney or bladder cancer, then you may have to perform this test on a regular basis as instructed by your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Occult Blood Microscopy Random Urine. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Occult Blood Microscopy Random Urine.
No specific preparation is required for this test. Follow all the appropriate instructions given by the healthcare professional during and after the test.
If the test results are positive or show the presence of occult blood in the urine, it may be a sign of kidney disease or urinary tract infection. The presence of high levels of red blood cells in the urine may indicate a viral infection, a blood disorder, an inflammation of the bladder, prostate or kidney, bladder or kidney stones, kidney injury, bladder or kidney cancer etc. High levels of white blood cells in the urine indicates the presence of bacterial infection or inflammation of the urinary tract. Presence of occult blood can also be due to hemorrhoids, menstruation, or vaginal bleeding. Individuals with inherited disorders such as sickle cell anemia (a defect of red blood cells) may also give a positive result for this test. Vigorous exercise or use of certain medicines such as penicillin, heparin, aspirin, cyclophosphamide etc may also show the presence of occult blood in the urine.
If the test results are negative, it indicates that no blood is detected in the urine sample and no further investigation is necessary. Individuals those who have a family history of kidney or bladder cancer may have to perform this test every 1 year or as instructed by your health care provider. Based on your test results, your doctor may advise appropriate medical treatments or further diagnostic tests.
Gender | Age groups | Value |
UNISEX | All age groups | Normally, blood is absent. Blood is detected in positive cases |