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Hemoglobinuria is a condition in which the oxygen transport protein hemoglobin is found in abnormally high concentrations in the urine. [1] The condition is caused by excessive intravascular hemolysis, in which large numbers of red blood cells (RBCs) are destroyed, thereby releasing free hemoglobin into the plasma. [2]
In highly concentrated urine they may shrivel and develop a spiky shape, which is termed crenation, while in dilute urine they can swell and lose their hemoglobin, creating a faint outline known as a ghost cell. A small quantity of red blood cells in the urine is considered normal. [93] [97] An increased level of RBCs is termed hematuria.
Hematuria can be classified according to visibility, anatomical origin, and timing of blood during urination. [1] [6]In terms of visibility, hematuria can be visible to the naked eye (termed "gross hematuria") and may appear red or brown (sometimes referred to as tea-colored), or it can be microscopic (i.e. not visible but detected with a microscope or laboratory test).
Laboratory testing of urine samples now can be performed with dipsticks that indicate immune system responses to infection, as well as with microscopic analysis of samples. The presence of hematuria, or blood in the urine, may indicate acute UTIs, kidney disease, kidney stones, inflammation of the prostate (in men), endometriosis (in women), or ...
Thin basement membrane disease (previously referred to as "benign familial hematuria") is, along with IgA nephropathy, the most common cause of hematuria without other symptoms. The only abnormal finding in this disease is a thinning of the basement membrane of the glomeruli in the kidneys.
Under ideal situations myoglobin will be filtered and excreted with the urine, but if too much myoglobin is released into the circulation or in case of kidney problems, it can occlude the kidneys' filtration system leading to acute tubular necrosis and acute kidney injury. Other causes of myoglobinuria include: McArdle's disease
A urine test is any medical test performed on a urine specimen. The analysis of urine is a valuable diagnostic tool because its composition reflects the functioning of many body systems, particularly the kidneys and urinary system , and specimens are easy to obtain. [ 1 ]
Because the kidney is responsible for making urine, analyzing the urine directly can provide crucial data that can help the physician diagnose nephritic syndrome. [33] Some findings on urinalysis that are consistent with nephritic syndrome include red blood cells ( hematuria ), red blood cell casts , proteinuria , and possibly white blood cells ...