What’s Normal and When to See a Doctor

What’s Normal and When to See a Doctor: Understanding Urine Colors

The Color of Your Urine: What Does It Mean?

The color of your urine can vary depending on your hydration level, diet, and overall health. While some changes in urine color may be normal, others can indicate underlying health issues. In this article, we’ll explore the different colors of urine and what they may mean.

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Standard Urine Color: Urochrome

Doctors refer to the standard color of your urine as "urochrome." Urine naturally carries a yellow pigment, which becomes more diluted as you drink water. When you stay hydrated, your urine will be a light yellow, close to clear.

Changes in Urine Color: What to Look Out For

If you notice changes in your urine color, it’s essential to pay attention to the color and any other symptoms you may be experiencing. Here are some common changes in urine color and what they may indicate:

• Clear Urine: Clear urine indicates that you’re drinking more water than your body needs. While being hydrated is a good thing, drinking too much water can rob your body of electrolytes. Urine that occasionally looks clear is no reason to panic, but urine that’s always clear could indicate that you need to cut back on your water intake. Clear urine can also indicate liver problems like cirrhosis and viral hepatitis. If you’re not consuming large amounts of water and have ongoing clear urine, you should see your doctor.
• Yellowish to Amber Urine: The color of "typical" urine falls from light yellow to a deeper amber color. The urochrome pigment naturally in your urine becomes more diluted as you drink water. Having a lot of B vitamins in your bloodstream can also cause urine to appear neon yellow.
• Red or Pink Urine: Red or pink urine may look like it’s due to something you ate, such as beets, rhubarb, or blueberries. However, there are sometimes other causes. Some health conditions can cause blood to appear in your urine, a symptom known as hematuria, including enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and tumors in the bladder and kidney. Medications that may turn your urine a reddish or pink hue include senna or senna-containing laxatives, phenazopyridine (Pyridium), and the antibiotic rifampin (Rifadin).
• Orange Urine: Orange urine can be caused by dehydration, medical conditions, or medications. If your urine appears orange, it could be a symptom of dehydration. Orange urine can also indicate a buildup of bile in your bloodstream due to issues with your bile ducts or liver. Adult-onset jaundice can also cause orange urine. Medications that may cause orange urine include phenazopyridine (Pyridium), sulfasalazine (Azulfidine), and chemotherapy drugs.
• Blue or Green Urine: Blue or green urine is rare and is usually connected to something in your diet. Food coloring, especially a dye called methylene blue, can cause blue or green urine. Medications that may cause blue or green urine include cimetidine (Tagamet), amitriptyline, indomethacin (Indocin), promethazine (Phenergan), and vitamin B supplements. A condition called familial benign hypercalcemia can also cause blue or green urine.
• Dark Brown Urine: Dark brown urine is usually a sign of dehydration. However, it can also be caused by medical conditions, medications, or foods. Dark brown urine can indicate a buildup of bile in your bloodstream due to issues with your bile ducts or liver. It can also be a symptom of rhabdomyolosis, a breakdown of muscle tissue that is a serious medical condition. A condition called porphyria can cause a buildup of natural chemicals in your bloodstream and cause rusty or brown urine. Dark brown urine can also indicate liver disease, as it can be caused by bile getting into your urine.
• Cloudy Urine: Cloudy urine can be caused by medical conditions, pregnancy, or medications. If you have cloudy urine and are pregnant, it could be a sign of a dangerous condition called preeclampsia. You should contact your healthcare professional immediately and let them know if you develop cloudy or bubbly urine during pregnancy.

What Does Kidney Failure Pee Look Like?

If you’re in kidney failure, your urine may be varying shades of yellow, amber, or brown. Note that dark yellow urine may also mean that you’re dehydrated, and your urine may also turn red after eating beets or foods with dyes. Some medications may change your urine color as well.

Early Warning Signs of Kidney Disease

Many people have no signs or symptoms of kidney disease until it has progressed. However, there are a few signs and symptoms of kidney disease. They are often subtle and may include:

• Changes in your urine, such as:
  • Making less urine
  • Needing to pee more often
  • Seeing blood in your urine
  • Foamy urine
• Insomnia
• Feeling tired
• Having trouble concentrating
• Swelling in your arms and/or legs
• Swelling in your face – especially around your eyes
• Muscle cramps

Conclusion

In most cases, abnormal urine colors are simply a result of dehydration, something you ate, or a side effect of medications you’re taking. Urine should resume its typical coloring within 2 to 3 days after you notice an unusual color. If your urine is cloudy, brown, blue, or green and doesn’t return to a pale straw color, schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor.

FAQs

Q: What does it mean if my urine is clear?
A: Clear urine indicates that you’re drinking more water than your body needs. While being hydrated is a good thing, drinking too much water can rob your body of electrolytes. Urine that occasionally looks clear is no reason to panic, but urine that’s always clear could indicate that you need to cut back on your water intake.

Q: What does it mean if my urine is yellowish to amber?
A: The color of "typical" urine falls from light yellow to a deeper amber color. The urochrome pigment naturally in your urine becomes more diluted as you drink water. Having a lot of B vitamins in your bloodstream can also cause urine to appear neon yellow.

Q: What does it mean if my urine is red or pink?
A: Red or pink urine may look like it’s due to something you ate, such as beets, rhubarb, or blueberries. However, there are sometimes other causes. Some health conditions can cause blood to appear in your urine, a symptom known as hematuria, including enlarged prostate, kidney stones, and tumors in the bladder and kidney.

Q: What does it mean if my urine is orange?
A: Orange urine can be caused by dehydration, medical conditions, or medications. If your urine appears orange, it could be a symptom of dehydration. Orange urine can also indicate a buildup of bile in your bloodstream due to issues with your bile ducts or liver. Adult-onset jaundice can also cause orange urine.

Q: What does it mean if my urine is blue or green?
A: Blue or green urine is rare and is usually connected to something in your diet. Food coloring, especially a dye called methylene blue, can cause blue or green urine. Medications that may cause blue or green urine include cimetidine (Tagamet), amitriptyline, indomethacin (Indocin), promethazine (Phenergan), and vitamin B supplements.