Contact a primary care centre as soon as possible if you think you have blood in your urine, even without burning. There are several possible causes. No pain, or just one episode, is not enough to establish that it is harmless.
Visible blood and a dipstick finding differ
Visible blood may make urine pink, red or reddish brown. Alternatively, a small amount may be detected on a dipstick. Food, colouring and menstrual blood can also affect appearance or interpretation. Describe what you actually saw and how the sample was collected.
Taking a blood thinner does not remove the need for assessment. The medicine is relevant information, but should not be assumed to explain the finding without investigation. Do not alter the dose yourself.
Which care route fits?
| Situation | Next step in Sweden |
|---|---|
| Suspected blood in urine, otherwise well | Contact a vårdcentral as soon as possible. |
| Blood with fever, back or abdominal pain, or vomiting | Seek prompt assessment; emergency department if the clinic is closed. |
| Blood after an accident | Call 112. |
Prepare a short description
- When did you see blood and has it happened again?
- Was the urine discoloured or were there clots?
- Any fever, pain, burning or difficulty passing urine?
- Which medicines do you take and have you recently been injured?
If you cannot pass urine despite needing to, or have large clots with worsening symptoms, seek urgent assessment. Call 1177 for advice about where to go.
What might investigation involve?
You may need urine and blood tests. The clinician then decides whether imaging or an examination inside the bladder is appropriate. Not everyone needs the same investigations. Ask which finding each test aims to explain and how you will receive the next decision.
What if the blood has stopped?
Report an episode even when it has already ended. Record the date and what happened; you do not need to wait for recurrence before contacting care. If a urinary infection is treated, ask what follow-up is needed if blood persists or returns.
Sources and further reading
- 1177: Blod i urinen (in Swedish)
- 1177: Urinprov (in Swedish)
- Region Västernorrland: Blod i urinen (in Swedish)
- Region Stockholm: Urinretention (in Swedish)
Sources and links checked on 22 October 2026. Editorial team: Hagakliniken. General information; individual assessment may differ.