Skeezyks, blood in the urine is never normal. There are several things that could be causing the problem that cannot be picked up by a blood test.

On the easy side is a bladder infection. Bladder infections are rare in young men, but become increasingly common in older men if the prostate gland enlarges and makes it difficult to empty the bladder completely (something most men don't realize in the early stages.) All of the symptoms you've mentioned (other than respiratory) could be caused by a bladder infection.

In older adults, bladder infections often do not present as they do in a person below age 50. In a young person, the symptoms usually include serious pain, burning, urgency and frequency of urination. The urine may be bloody, cloudy or strong or foul smelling. There may be low back pain or pain in the pubic area.

In older people, the infection may present entirely with cognitive or psychological symptoms, fatigue and argumentativeness.

An infection is usually diagnosed by a urine sample. It takes only simple equipment to detect red or white blood cells in the urine, which can indicate infection. That usually takes a matter of minutes. The urine sample may have to be cultured to detect exactly what bacteria is causing the problem. The treatment is usually antibiotics.

There can be much more serious problems in the kidneys, bladder or prostate. These symptoms should never be ignored, especially in an older person. It may require a referral to an urologist to get a proper diagnosis.

My H was diagnosed with a serious bladder disorder about 3 years ago. His physical exam and complete blood work came back perfect. His only symptom was blood in the urine on three separate occasions and mild low back discomfort that felt somehow different than the low back pain he'd experienced for years.

His problem was diagnosed by an urologist using a scope into the bladder. If he had not been diagnosed and treated, it would have been bad. Very bad.

I don't want to make this sound dire, but ignoring blood in the urine, especially in an older man, can lead to bad consequences. Please get this checked out and don't let the nurse practitioner tell you blood in the urine is normal or that you had a normal blood test.

Kidney function can be analyzed with a blood test, but most problems in the bladder can't be diagnosed that way. It may take a scope or ultrasound test.

With all that said, your symptoms sound a lot like a bladder infection. Blood, concentrated urine, low back discomfort, pubic discomfort, fatigue and depression/anxiety.

Please get yourself checked out and come back and tell us how you fare at the clinic. You, and every other person with blood in their urine, deserves a thorough work-up. If infection is ruled out, then a referral to an urologist is a good idea. Let me make that stronger ... in an older man, a referral to an urologist is essential.

Here's a link to the Mayo Clinic:

Blood in urine (hematuria) Definition - Diseases and Conditions - Mayo Clinic

I wish you the best and hope this is a simple thing that can be easily treated.