Sometimes people with sickle cell trait (SCT) experience blood in their urine, a condition called hematuria. This can be a sign of a serious medical condition, so it requires a thorough medical evaluation.
Who can develop blood in their urine?
Anyone can have blood in their urine. It can occur in children and adults.
How can I tell if there could be blood in my urine? What are the warning signs?
Blood in the urine might be obvious because it turns the urine pink, bright red, or brown. Sometimes the amount of blood in the urine is so small that it does not change the color, but the red blood cells are visible under a microscope (called microscopic hematuria). Most people with microscopic hematuria do not have symptoms, but others will have some discomfort or a burning sensation when they urinate, and they tend to urinate more often than usual.
If I have SCT and develop hematuria, is my SCT the cause of the blood in my urine?
Sometimes people with SCT have blood in their urine, which may or may not be related to SCT. If you have blood in your urine, tell your healthcare provider right away.
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