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After your kidney biopsy

Blood in Urine After a — Kidney Biopsy

Pink or red urine after a kidney biopsy is expected. It is one of the most common things that happens after the procedure, and seeing it does not mean something went wrong. What you need to know is how long it should last and which signs mean you should call your team today.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Bharati Devi Gorantla, Medical Oncologist, MBBS · MD · DM (Adyar, Chennai) · ECMO · MRCP SCE (UK) · Last reviewed September 2026

  • It is expected — Visible blood in urine is a normal and anticipated part of recovery from a kidney biopsy.
  • It should improve — The urine usually becomes progressively lighter. The direction of change is what matters.
  • Some signs need same-day attention — Urine that stays dark or worsens, or that comes with pain or dizziness, needs a call to your team today.
  • Clotting was checked first — Your team assessed your clotting before the biopsy, which is part of how the risk of serious bleeding is managed.
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Some blood in urine after a kidney biopsy is expected. The needle passes through tissue rich in blood vessels, so mild discoloration is a normal part of recovery — not a sign that something went wrong. It usually clears on its own. What matters is whether it is getting lighter, staying the same, or getting darker.

Is blood in urine normal after a kidney biopsy?

Yes. The kidney has a rich blood supply, and passing a needle through it causes a small amount of bleeding. That blood drains into the urine, which is why urine looks pink or red in the hours after the procedure.

This is anticipated by every team that performs kidney biopsies. It is not a complication — it is part of what happens.

The colour should become progressively lighter over the following hours. That gradual clearing tells your team the bleeding has settled. Urine that stays the same shade or becomes darker is what needs attention.

What do these terms mean if your team mentions them?

Haematuria
Blood in the urine. After a kidney biopsy, a degree of haematuria is expected and does not on its own indicate a complication.
Gross haematuria
Blood visible to the naked eye, making the urine appear pink, red or brownish. This is what most people notice in the hours after a kidney biopsy.
Microscopic haematuria
Blood in the urine too small to see, detectable only on a dipstick or laboratory test. It can persist for a short period after the visible discoloration has cleared.
Perirenal haematoma
A collection of blood around the outside of the kidney. Small ones are common after biopsy and usually settle without treatment. A larger one can cause pain in the flank or back and needs assessment.
Clot retention
When a blood clot blocks the flow of urine. Signs include difficulty or inability to pass urine, or severe pain in the lower abdomen. This is uncommon but needs urgent attention if it happens.
Arteriovenous fistula
An uncommon connection between an artery and a vein inside the kidney that can occasionally follow a biopsy. Most close on their own. Persistent bleeding that does not settle may be investigated for this.

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When should you call your team?

Call the same day if the urine is getting darker rather than lighter, if you pass a clot, or if you are unable to urinate.

Also call if you develop pain or tightness in your flank or lower back that is getting worse, or if you feel faint, dizzy, or notice your heart racing. These can be signs that bleeding around the kidney is more than expected.

If you are ever unsure whether what you are seeing is normal, call. Your team would rather hear from you and reassure you than have you wait at home while something that needed attention was worsening.

Did you know?

Visible blood in the urine after percutaneous kidney biopsy is so consistently expected that nephrology units include it as standard information in pre-procedure consent discussions.

Because it is anticipated, your team already has a plan for monitoring it — which is part of why observation after the procedure is standard before any discharge home.

Source: KDIGO Clinical Practice Guideline for Glomerulonephritis; British Renal Society Renal Biopsy Guidelines

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Common questions

Frequently asked questions

How long does blood in urine last after a kidney biopsy?

It usually becomes lighter over the hours following the procedure, though timing varies between individuals. The direction of change matters more than any specific timeframe: urine that is progressively lighter is a reassuring sign. If it stays the same shade or becomes darker rather than clearing, that is when to call your team rather than waiting for your next scheduled appointment.

What colour is the urine supposed to be after a kidney biopsy?

Immediately after the procedure it may be clearly pink or red. Over time it should progress through a lighter pink toward yellow. A tea or cola colour — brownish rather than bright red — can indicate older blood and is worth reporting to your team along with any other symptoms you have.

Should I drink more water to flush it out?

Staying well hydrated is generally encouraged after a kidney biopsy and helps urine flow through the urinary tract. Your team will give you specific guidance on fluids before you go home. Do not restrict fluids in an attempt to reduce the visible blood — the discoloration clears as the kidney settles, not simply by dilution.

What if I pass a blood clot?

Passing a clot is something to report to your team the same day. A clot that is large, or that is followed by difficulty passing urine or pain in the lower abdomen, needs urgent attention — go to the nearest emergency department rather than waiting for a callback. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit if this happens.

Is it safe to go home if my urine is still discoloured?

Your team will assess whether it is safe to discharge you before you leave. The decision is based on how the urine looked during your observation period and your clinical condition at that point. If they are discharging you with some discoloration still present, it means they have assessed the level as expected and are satisfied it is settling. They will give you written guidance on what to watch for at home and how to contact them.

Could the biopsy have caused serious damage to my kidney?

Kidney biopsy is a well-established procedure performed with imaging guidance to minimise risk. Serious complications are uncommon. Your clotting function was assessed before the procedure as part of how bleeding risk is managed. If you have concerns about how your kidney is functioning after the biopsy, raise them directly with your nephrologist, who can explain the monitoring plan and what the results mean.

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