Haemoglobin - urine

Last updated: Thursday, 01, April, 2004

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Item Process
Specimen

Freshly voided urine collected without preservative.

Method

Spectroscopic examination or urinalysis to detect haem pigment.

Urine microscopy to exclude haematuria.

EPG or IFE to distinguish haemoglobin from myoglobin.

Reference Interval

Not detected in normal urine.

Application

History of red or dark urine; findings on FBC and blood film suggesting intravascular haemolysis; investigation of immediate haemolytic reaction during blood transfusion.

See also Myoglobin - urine.

Interpretation

Haemoglobinuria indicates intravascular haemolysis;
release of haemoglobin in amounts exceeding the binding capacity of haptoglobins; and
consequent glomerular filtration of haemoglobin and presence in urine.

Reference

Dacie JV and Lewis SM. Practical Haematology. 8th ed. Churchill Livingstone 1995.