Red Blood Cells were found in my urine and my doctor
referred me to a urol.  This is what happened:

Update: Blood in my urine--

A urologist examined me today in relation to the Red
Blood cells that were found in my urine. These are
the results:

1. The nurse told to provide a urine sample and I
complied. The urologist later examined the urine
under a microscope and found no evidence of blood.

I told him that I had some of the signs of kidney
disease and felt that may have been the reason for
the blood in the urine. He reviewed about a dozen
blood and urine tests and also asked me about a dozen
questions related to the major symptoms of kidney
disease.  It was his conclusion that I do not have
kidney disease but that I may develop kidney problems
within the next ten years: These were the three reasons
that he mentioned:
1. Edema--he called it "postural hypotention"
2. blood in the urine
3. Salt Sentitive--Blood pressure problems/Edema related to normal amounts
of salt.

He said that as long as my serum creatinine remained at 1.1 MG/DL or below that
I did not have to be concerned about kidney disease. I told him that I was
eating a
low protein diet and a salt resticted diet. He told me that it was a great
idea and to
continue that diet.

He checked my prostate gland and said that it was slightly enlarged
and there were no nodules (spelling??). He said that most men that were
55 years old had slighly enlarged prostate glands so it was nothing to be
concerned about.

I have to provide two other urine samples on different dates--the second
urine of the day. I asked him why he did not want the first urine of the day?
He said that he was looking only for blood cells and that it was difficult to
find blood cells in the first urine of the days due to the thousands of
particles in
the first urine of the day. I forgot to ask him about a dipstick test on that
urine. He plans to look at the urine under a microscope.

He advised me NOT to make a diagnosis of my medical problems based on
information
that I learned from the internet or books. I did not mention to him that
various people
told me the same thing in this and other newsgroups.

I was hoping that he would arrange for me to get an abdominal ultrasound
but he did not
mention it--perhaps because he did not find any blood in the urine that he
checked.

He did not ask my opinions about any tests or exams that I wanted to
have--it was obvious
that he wanted to make all decisions in relation to those things.

He seemed to be a typical "old school" doctor that does not want patients
to make any decisions related to treatment options. If he had asked--I was
going to request an abdominal ultrasound; urine cultured test; and new PSA
test

Thanks again for those people that provided advice.

Jason