[sweetVTnurse]

What is the difference between hemolyzed and non-hemolyzed blood found in urine on dipsticks? What is the clinical signifigance and what exactly does it mean? I would appreciate anyone who could try to explain it to me. Thanks . . .

[sweetVTnurse]

Somebody?. . . Anybody? . . . .

[TinyNurse]

good question, do you do your own dips, or does lab do them? i don't even know if this any significance though.

[outlierrn]

if there is a difference, I'm not aware of it, our results sheet doesn't make the distinction, so I guess the docs don't base any discision on it.

[BSNDec06]

Short explanation: If there is some kind of hemolytic process going on in the body, free hemoglobin may be released into the urine. On the other hand, RBC's in the urine usually indicates some sort of renal failure. I will try to find the time to post again tomorrow with more specific info. In the meantime hope this helps