Blood on toilet paper after pee

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for contacting Macmillan Cancer Support and welcome to the online community.

 It sounds like you’re very concerned right now and that’s completely understandable when you’ve noticed a change in your health and are waiting for test results.

While we can’t give specific advice about what may be causing your symptoms, bood in your urine isn’t usually caused by anything serious but, you’ve done exactly the right thing seeing your doctor to get it checked out.

Blood in the urine and needing to pee urgently and frequently can often be a sign of a urinary tract infection (UTI) and it’s reassuring that your symptoms improved while you were taking the nitrofurantoin. Unfortunately, this antibiotic doesn’t treat all types of UTI. This is why your doctor has requested a urine sample. That will, hopefully, tell them what type of infection is causing your symptoms and which is the most effective treatment for it.

It your urine sample doesn’t show any sign of infection, or your symptoms continue after you’ve finished your course of antibiotics we would strongly suggest you go back to your doctor. They may need to do further tests to identify what’s causing your symptoms and ensure you get appropriate treatment.

In the meantime if you have any new or worsening symptoms or don’t hesitate to seek a more urgent appointment with your doctor, you can also call 111 for urgent medical advice at any time.

It may also help to give us a call. It can sometimes help to talk things through and get a little support.

I hope this helps

Rachel

Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

REF:RC/JL

Thank you Rachel .

I just had a request from my doctors to repeat the sample as there was insufficient information' on labels . I'm now worried that as I'm starting day 3 of my trimethoprim then the results will be inaccurate. Can urine still be tested if on trimethoprim ? What's my best outcome for next results ? If it shows no blood and no infection should I then be satisfied or do I ask to get further tests for the previous bleeding after passing urine ( when wiped ) ?

thsnk you

lynn 

Hi Lynn,

Thanks for getting back in touch.

Sorry to hear you have been asked to hand another sample in, I appreciate this is causing you a lot of worry.

Your urine sample will not only test for signs of infections but any other abnormalities. These results along with any other symptoms you still have will determine if the doctor feels you need any further tests or not. It might be worth checking that the GP wants to repeat the urine sample now, or wait until you have finished your current course of antibiotics.

If your results come back clear and your symptoms have improved this would suggest it was a urine infection that has improved with your antibiotic treatment. But if you are still concerned or notice any new or returning symptoms then it is important you get back in touch with your GP.

I notice from your original post that you are 51 and not been sexually active for a few years. Many people start to experience menopause between the ages of 45-55. And even during peri-menopause people experience symptoms such as vaginal atrophy and frequent urine infections.  This may be another aspect to explore with your GP if your urine sample comes back all clear.

I hope this helps and please get back in touch if you need any more information or support.

Best wishes,

Amy C, Cancer Information Nurse Specialist

You can also speak with the Macmillan Support Line team of experts. Phone free on 0808 808 0000 (7 days a week, 8am-8pm) or send us an email.

Ref: AC/KDf