You may notice that your urine color sometimes changes color, though you may not have any other symptoms. This may happen with certain health conditions, such as dehydration.
An unusual urine color is one of the telltale signs of an underlying medical condition.
Different medical conditions affect the color of urine differently. That’s why it is essential to learn what the color of your urine says about your overall health status and the steps you can take to help it return to usual or treat any underlying conditions.
Factors that can affect the color of urine
Helen Sotiriadis/Stocksy United
A typical urine color could be clear or pale yellow. But your health status and hydration level can affect its color.
Here are specific factors that can affect urine color:
Dehydration: Urine color typically changes to dark yellow if you are not consuming enough water.
Medications: When some medications metabolize in the body, this can darken or discolor your urine. Medications such as rifampin (Rifadin), warfarin (Jantoven), and chlorpromazine can darken the urine color. Over-the-counter medications, like phenazopyridine (Pyridium) and nitrofurantoin mono (Macrobid) can also change the color of urine.
Diet: Foods like beetroot (beets) and blackberries can also darken urine color.
Infections and medical conditions: Health conditions such as severe hepatitis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), and hemolytic anemia typically cause urine to turn a different color.
Sudden changes in urine color could signal the presence of an underlying medical condition. Observing your urine color and consulting a doctor for professional assistance is crucial.
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Apart from dehydration, dark urine could indicate a health condition or a medical disorder of an organ.
The following are some medical conditions associated with dark urine:
Liver diseases: Liver dysfunction causes the buildup of bilirubin in the blood and urine. Bilirubin is a combination of the breakdown of the hemoglobin from older red blood cells and the early breakdown of bone marrow cells. Too much bilirubin in the urine can cause a dark yellow discoloration.
Kidney diseases: Infections or medical disorders that lead to kidney damage or injury may cause blood to appear in the urine in varying amounts. The presence of blood in the urine could range from pale pink in color to bright red discoloration. Common examples of kidney disorders that cause red discoloration are kidney stones, kidney cancer, and glomerulonephritis.
Hemolytic anemia: Hemolytic anemia is when there is too much breakdown of red blood cells. It may lead to hemoglobin, which gives blood its red color, in the urine.
Rhabdomyolysis: Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue, which releases a special protein called myoglobin. Myoglobin typically leads to urine that’s reddish-brown in color.
Biliary tract obstruction: Typically, the biliary tract transports combined bilirubin from the liver into the small bowel. However, if the biliary tract system is obstructed, the level of bilirubin in the blood rises, which eventually leads to tea- or cola-colored urine.
When to see a doctor
If you notice persistent dark urine, despite drinking enough water, it may indicate an underlying medical condition.
Associated symptoms — like fever, vomiting, and pain in a specific area (localized) — typically signal an infection. In these cases, it is essential to consult a doctor for early diagnosis and prompt treatment.
If you are taking prescription medications, advise your doctor. It’s possible that the medications have discolored your urine. Contact your doctor for professional advice if you think your urine color is irregular.
Treatment
The treatment of dark urine depends on the underlying cause. To diagnose the cause, your doctor will ask you about your medical history, perform a physical examination, and order any necessary lab tests.
Diagnostic tests such as urinalysis and complete blood count are common.
Occasionally, you may not require any treatment, such as if your current prescribed medications are the cause of your discolored urine. Stopping the medications that darken urine color can typically resolve the discoloration.
If an infection is the underlying cause, a doctor may prescribe medications such as antibiotics.
Summary
Sometimes, your urine color may change, indicating an underlying medical condition. Dehydration is the most common cause of dark-colored urine in the absence of medical disorders.
Generally, getting enough water typically helps lighten urine color. But in some cases, medical conditions affecting specific organs can alter urine color. For example, medical disorders such as hepatitis, kidney diseases, and hemolytic anemia typically discolor urine and make it darker.
You should discuss your symptoms and current medications with a doctor or healthcare professional each time you notice a persistent urine color change, despite drinking enough water.
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