Urine - abnormal color
The usual color of urine is straw-yellow. Abnormally colored urine may be cloudy, dark, or blood-colored.
Discoloration of urine
Abnormal urine color may be caused by infection, disease, medicines, or food you eat.
Cloudy or milky urine is a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may also cause a bad smell. Milky urine may also be caused by bacteria, crystals, fat, white or red blood cells, or mucus in the urine.
Dark brown but clear urine is a sign of a liver disorder such as acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis, which causes excess bilirubin in the urine.
Pink, red, or lighter brown urine can be caused by:
Dark yellow or orange urine can be caused by:
B complex vitamins or carotene
Medications such as phenazopyridine (used to treat urinary tract infections), rifampin, and warfarin
Recent laxative use
Green or blue urine is due to:
When to Contact a Medical Professional
See your health care provider if you have:
- Abnormal urine color that cannot be explained and does not go away
- Blood in your urine, even once
- Clear, dark-brown urine
- Pink, red, or smoky-brown urine that is not due to a food or drug
What to Expect at Your Office Visit
The health care provider will perform a physical exam. This may include a rectal or pelvic exam. The doctor will ask you questions about your symptoms such as:
- When did you first notice a change in urine color and how long have you had the problem?
- What color is your urine and does the color change during the day? Do you see blood in the urine?
- Are there things that make the problem worse?
- What types of foods have you been eating and what medicines do you take?
- Have you had urinary or kidney problems in the past?
- Are you having any other symptoms (such as increase such as pain, fever, or increase in thirst)?
Tests that may be done include:
Gerber GS, Brendler CB. Evaluation of the urologic patient: History, physical examination, and the urinalysis In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 3.
Landry DW, Bazari H. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Cecil Medicine. 24th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2011:chap 116.