Urine - abnormal color

Definition

The usual color of urine is straw-yellow. Abnormally colored urine may be cloudy, dark, or blood-colored.

Alternative Names

Discoloration of urine

Causes

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:

Beets, blackberries, or certain food colorings
Hemolytic anemia
Injury to the kidneys or urinary tract
Medication
Porphyria
Urinary tract disorders that cause bleeding

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:

Artificial colors in foods or drugs
Bilirubin
Medications, including methylene blue
Urinary tract infections

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:

Blood tests, including liver function tests
Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder
Urinalysis
Urine culture for infection

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References

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.

This page was last updated on: 1/29/2019 3:21:13 PM