While normal urine color typically ranges from pale yellow to amber, shifts in colors can expose potential health concerns.
The five common variants.
[Please note the colours may not be accurate, but are an approximation. Bottom line, the colour of your urine is an indicator of health.]
- Clear or Pale
This typically signals proper hydration, suggesting a healthy functioning urinary system. Excess water intake can lead to clear urine, while pale yellow generally points to an adequately hydrated body. - Dark Yellowish Green
Insufficient hydration often leads to concentrated urine, indicating a need for more fluids. However, dark amber urine may also indicate liver issues or high bilirubin levels, requiring medical evaluation. Dark-colored urine may also suggest a serious and potentially life-threatening muscular condition.Very dark, almost brown-coloured urine, like Coca-Cola-colored urine—that can suggest a condition called rhabdomyolysis.
- Reddish Orange
Blood in urine (hematuria) can be linked to urinary tract infections, kidney stones, bladder or kidney infections, or something more severe. Blood in the urine can sometimes be a sign of a more serious problem like cancer.However, foods such as beets can temporarily make urine appear bright red, which could be mistaken for blood in the urine, she noted.
- Dark Orange or Brown
Certain medications, liver disorders, or hemolytic anemia can cause orange or brown discolored urine. For example, the anti-inflammatory medication sulfasalazine, the urinary pain reliever phenazopyridine, some chemotherapy drugs, or laxatives with senna can lead to orange urine. Iron supplements or kidney stones may also contribute to a rusty urine tinge. - Red, Darkish Red
There is another colour described as blue or green and this colour urine could be caused by specific medications, such as the antidepressant amitriptyline. Other culpable medications include the antacid cimetidine (Tagamet HB) and the diuretic triamterene (Dyrenium).However, artificial food dyes, excessive consumption of certain foods, or bacterial infections may also cause temporary color changes.
Certain supplements can make urine appear more brightly colored like Gatorade—even fluorescent.
