Hemolyzed vs. non-hemolyzed hematuria??

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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 . . .

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Somebody?. . . Anybody? . . . .

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Specializes in Emergency.

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

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Specializes in ER.

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.

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Specializes in Infection Preventionist/ Occ Health.

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 :)

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I know that this is prob an old post but the difference is that non-hemolyzed sediments found in the urine are normally old, dead or lysed rbcs and no longer contain hemoglobin giving them the red color. If you looked at this urine under the microscope it would look like clear/light brown granules.

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