Urine color: What does it mean?

Why is urine yellow? Should I be concerned about changes in my

urine color?
Mayo Clinic urologist Erik Castle, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from
readers.
Answer

Urine consists of excess water and waste products that have been filtered from the blood
by the kidneys. Its natural yellow color is due to excretion of urochrome, a pigment from
blood. Depending on the amount of fluids you drink, your urine can range in color from
almost clear (diluted) to dark orange (concentrated).

Most changes in urine color are temporary and caused by foods you eat or medications
you take. However, sometimes an abnormal urine color can indicate a serious disease. If
you're concerned about the color of your urine, especially if you notice blood in it or the
color change lasts more than one day, consult your doctor.

Urine color Possible medical and dietary causes

Clear
Excess liquids

Liver disorders, such as acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis

Bright or neon yellow
Vitamin supplements

Dark yellow or gold
Dehydration

Some laxatives

Foods or supplements containing B complex vitamins

Pink or red
Blood in the urine, such as due to kidney or bladder

infection or cancer

Certain foods, such as beets and berries, and food dyes

Some laxatives

Orange
Side effect of certain medications, such as rifampin,

doxorubicin (Adriamycin, Rubex), phenazopyridine (Pyridium)
and warfarin (Coumadin)

Certain foods and food dyes

Dehydration

Some laxatives

Blue or green
Side effect of certain medications, such as amitriptyline and

indomethacin (Indocin)

Certain foods, such as asparagus, and food dyes

Dark brown or tea
Liver disorders, especially if accompanied by pale stools

colored and jaundice

Side effect of certain medications

Blood in the urine

Certain foods and food dyes

Cloudy or murky
Urinary tract infections

Kidney stones

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Urine Color as Health Indicator

The kidneys process liquids from what you have been eating and drinking, as well as
material from various body processes. The resulting urine consists of water and dissolved
waste material. Since some organ malfunctions or the effort to fight off a disease can
results in excess waste material, the color of the urine can be an indicator of what you
have been ingesting and the condition of your health. Certain colors can indicate problems,
diseases or imbalances in your diet.

Questions you may have include:

• Of what does urine consist?

• What are abnormal colors for urine?
• What should you do if your urine is an abnormal color?

This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Health Disclaimer

Urine

Urine consists of water and dissolved waste material from what you have been drinking
and eating. It also includes dead blood cells and other material the body wants to eliminate.

The kidneys process the blood plasma, allowing water, sugars, vitamins, amino acids and
other vital substances back into the bloodstream. They eliminate excess water, salts and
minerals, as well as urea from protein digestion, uric acid, creatinine from muscle
breakdown, hormone waste and toxins. Also eliminated is urochrome, which is a yellow
pigment that comes from the processing of dead blood cells in the liver.

The urochrome gives the urine a pale yellow color, which is its normal color.

Abnormal colors

Since the normal color of urine is pale yellow, variations can be an indication of health
problems or be the result of certain foods that have been eaten.

Clear urine

If a person has been drinking an excess of water or diuretics such as coffee or beer, the
urine may have little or no color. Typically, it is nothing to worry about if it happens
occasionally.
Yellow urine

Excess sweating could result in the urine becoming a deeper yellow. Also, it is a sign that
you have not been drinking enough liquids

Dark yellow urine

Liver problems or jaundice can cause the urine to become consistently a dark yellow color.
Be sure you have been drinking enough fluids before jumping to conclusions.

Orange urine

People who eat too many carrots--like from a juicer--may see orange urine. Also, too much
Vitamin C can turn the urine orange.

Brown urine

Brown urine can an indication of a serious condition. It could be caused by liver disease,
hepatitis, melanoma cancer, or copper poisoning. Other symptoms from those ailments
should also be considered as indicators. But note that if you had recently eaten fava beans
or taken a laxative, your urine also could turn brown.

Greenish urine

A urinary tract infection, bile problems and certain drugs can cause the urine to turn
greenish. A brighter green color is an indication of an excess of B vitamins.

Blue urine

Urine with a bluish tint can be caused by a psuedomonas bacterial infection. It can also be
an indication of high levels of calcium.

Reddish urine

There are a number of things that can cause the urine to have a red tint.

Blood

A small amount of blood in the urine can give it a red tint. Sometimes droplets of blood are
seen. A bladder infection, kidney stones or bladder stones can result in urine with red in it.
Also, a slight injury to the bladder or kidney can result in bleeding into the urine. Some
professional boxers have been known to pass blood in their urine after a fight.

If you see what looks like blood in your urine, it is a good idea to go to the doctor to check
the condition.

Food

Eating beets can result in reddish-purple urine.

Acidic urine will turn red after eating blackberries. Alkaline urine will look reddish after
eating rhubarb. Whether your urine is acidic or alkaline is usually determined by other
foods you have eaten.
Candy or pills with a dye can temporarily turn the urine red.

Poison

Lead or mercury poisoning can turn the urine reddish. If you suspect you have ingested
and have been handling those toxic metals, and your urine is red, you should see your
physician.

What to do

If your urine has a strange color, and you have not been eating foods or taking pills that
would cause the change in color, you should check yourself for other unusual symptoms
and perhaps visit your doctor.

Also, if the urine has a bad odor, it may be an indication of disease.

In conclusion

The color of your urine may determine the state of your health. Your kidneys process
liquids from what you have been eating and drinking, and the resulting urine consists of
water and dissolved waste material. Certain colors of your urine can indicate problems,
diseases or imbalances in your diet.