Can dehydration cause blood in urine?

It can cause concentrated, dark urine — but true red blood cells require evaluation.

Is hematuria from running normal?

Exercise-induced hematuria exists but is a diagnosis of exclusion. You still need a workup.

Telehealth

Blood in Urine: What Hematuria Means and When It's Urgent

Any visible blood in urine (gross hematuria) requires urgent in-person urology evaluation — typically a CT urogram and cystoscopy — to rule out bladder or kidney cancer, stones, and infection. Microscopic hematuria (red cells found only on urinalysis) is also evaluated based on age and risk factors. Hematuria is never normal.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Angelo Gousse, MD — board-certified urologist (Florida).

Why this matters

Bladder cancer is the most concerning cause and is highly treatable when caught early. Stones, infection, and BPH are more common causes but require the same workup to rule cancer out.

The standard workup

Repeat urinalysis with culture, upper tract imaging (CT urogram or MR urogram), and cystoscopy. Some patients also get urine cytology.

Frequently asked questions

Can dehydration cause blood in urine?: It can cause concentrated, dark urine — but true red blood cells require evaluation.
Is hematuria from running normal?: Exercise-induced hematuria exists but is a diagnosis of exclusion. You still need a workup.