Any evidence of blood in the urine, both gross and microscopic, warrants a visit to the doctor for an examination and investigation of possible life-threatening causes.

A good medical history and physical exam may help find the cause of urinary bleeding. Urine and blood tests may be requested as needed.

This is followed by tests, including:

1. Imaging tests.
   This might be a computerized tomography (CT) scan, which uses radiation and a computer to create cross-sectional images of the urinary system. The urinary system may also be visualized with x-rays with intravenous contrast injected called intravenous urogram.
   
   
2. Cystoscopy.
   If there is gross blood in the urine or in cases where bladder pathology such as cancer is strongly suspected, the bladder can be examined with a pencil-thin flexible telescope passed gently through the natural urinary passage into the bladder.

This examination is done under local anesthesia and does not require hospital stay. It usually takes only a few minutes and the patient go home just after the procedure.