Pale yellow urine is an indicator of good hydration. Dark yellow urine is a sign to drink more fluids. Amber-colored urine can indicate dehydration. Orange urine can be caused by various foods or medications or be a sign of potential liver problems.
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.
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
Urine that is dark orange, amber, cola-coloured or brown can be a sign of liver disease. The colour is due to too much bilirubin building up because the liver isn't breaking it down normally.
Urine that's abnormally colored may have tints of red, orange, blue, green, or brown. Abnormal urine color can be caused by a variety of issues. For example, it can result from taking certain medications, eating certain foods, having certain medical conditions, or being dehydrated.
Diabetes can cause cloudy urine when too much sugar builds up in your urine. Your urine may also smell sweet or fruity. Diabetes can also lead to kidney complications or increase risk of infections of the urinary tract, both of which can also make your urine appear cloudy.
When should I worry about my urine? Changes in the smell and color of your urine are normal, but sometimes these changes can indicate a medical issue. If it becomes darker, cloudy, or if you see blood or experience pain when you urinate, there might be a problem.
The most common color of urine is yellow, which is caused by the presence of urobilin , a biochemical waste product generated from the breakdown of old red blood cells. (Your body makes about 2 million new red blood cells every day, and recycles an equal number of old ones.)
This coloring is primarily caused by the pigment urochrome, also known as urobilin. Whether your urine is diluted by water or in a more concentrated form determines the appearance of the pigment. The more water you drink, and the more hydrated you become, the lighter the pigment in your urine.
Is clear urine always a good thing? In most cases, clear urine is a sign that you're well hydrated. And that's a positive thing because good hydration helps your body function at its best. But, in some cases, clear pee may mean that you're drinking too much water and you're too hydrated.
Bright yellow to amber urine may be harmless, but it could be a sign that you're a little dehydrated or taking more vitamins than your body needs. You may want to check with your provider on what vitamins your body doesn't need as much so you can cut back.
Foamy, frothy or bubbly urine.
Urine can indeed provide clue that you may be developing or actually have certain health conditions. Look at the color of your urine: If your urine is brown or dark, it could be a sign of liver disease, antibiotic usage, kidney failure, or use of muscle relaxants.
An occasional clear pee isn't a big deal. But if it's an ongoing issue you may be lowering salt and electrolyte levels below what your body needs. What if your urine is clear and you're not knocking back glass after glass of water? That may signal an underlying kidney problem or diabetes.
Medium-dark yellow urine is often an indication that you are dehydrated.
“Diabetes starts as a silent disease, advancing painlessly, almost imperceptibly,” says Dr. Ferrer, who sees 25 to 30 diabetic patients per week. “It mainly attacks the small blood vessels, damaging the kidneys, eyes, and nerves.” It can also affect larger blood vessels.
Clear to yellow urine falls within the normal, healthy range, Clayman says. Odd colors such as blue or orange are usually the result of medications such as certain antibiotics, antidepressants and laxatives. But there are two colors you should never ignore: dark brown and red.
Dark Yellow to Orange
Dark yellow urine might indicate that you have a severe infection, an underlying kidney condition or it could additionally mean that you are dehydrated: Temporary conditions or medication affecting the liver and kidneys can also sometimes cause this effect.