recreational, occupational, and medication exposures) as this information can be helpful in suggesting a cause of hematuria. The physical exam can also be helpful in identifying a cause of the hematuria as certain signs found on the physical exam can suggest specific causes of the hematuria. In the event the initial evaluation of hematuria does not reveal an underlying cause  then evaluation by a physician who specializes in Urology may proceed. This medical evaluation may consist of, but is not limited too, a history and physical exam taken by healthcare personnel, laboratory studies (i.e. blood work), cystoscopy, and specialized imaging procedures (i.e. CT or MRI). Visible hematuria
The first step in evaluation of red or brown colored urine is to confirm true hematuria with urinalysis and urine microscopy, where hematuria is defined by three of more red blood cells per high power field. Although a urine dipstick test may be used, it can give false positive or false negative results. In gathering information, it is important to inquire about recent trauma, urologic procedures, menses, and culture-documented urinary tract infection. If any of these are present, it is appropriate to repeat a urinalysis with urine microscopy in 1 to 2 weeks or after treatment of the infection. If the results of the urinalysis and urine microscopy reveal a glomerular origin of hematuria (indicated by proteinuria or red blood cell casts), consultation of a nephrologist should be made.
This is very significant in regards to developing a differential diagnosis and eventually for the purposes of creating a treatment plan for the patient.Many causes may present as either visible hematuria or microscopic hematuria, and so the differential diagnosis is frequently organized based upon glomerular and non-glomerular causes. Glomerular hematuria
Glomerular causes include:

IgA nephropathy
Thin glomerular basement membrane disease
Hereditary nephritis (Alports disease)
Hemolytic uremic syndrome
Postinfectious glomerulonephritisCertain infectious agents like Group B Strep(strep pyogenes) can cause a person to get a very specific manifestation known as post-streptococcal glomerulonephritis. This manifestation results in a person having the symptom of cola-colored urine. Membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis
Lupus nephritis
Henoch-Shonlein purpura
Nephritic syndrome
Nephrotic syndrome
Polycystic kidney disease
Idiopathic hematuria

Non-glomerular hematuria
Visible blood clots in the urine indicate a non-glomerular cause. Non-glomerular causes include:

Urinary tract infections, such as pyelonephritis, cystitis, prostatitis, and urethritis
Kidney stones
Cancers, such as renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer (particularly transitional cell carcinoma), and in men, prostate cancer
Urinary tract strictures
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Renal papillary necrosis
Trauma or damage to the lining of the urinary tract
Intense exercise
Increased tendency to bleed due to acquired or genetic conditions (e.g. sickle cell disease or vitamin K deficiency bleeding) or certain medications (e.g. blood thinners)

Mimickers of hematuria
Pigmenturia
Not all red or brown urine is caused by hematuria. Other substances such as certain medications and certain foods can cause urine to appear red.Medications that may cause urine to appear red include:

Phenazopyridine
Nitrofurantoin
Doxorubicin
RifampicinFoods that may cause urine to appear red include:

Blackberries
Food dyes. Beets
Rhubarb
Fava beans

False positive urine dipstick
A urine dipstick may be falsely positive for hematuria due to other substances in the urine.