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Urine - abnormal color

Discoloration of urine

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

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. It can also indicate severe dehydration or a condition involving the breakdown of muscle tissue known as rhabdomyolysis.

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
  • Medicines
  • Porphyria
  • Urinary tract disorders that cause bleeding
  • Blood from vaginal bleeding
  • Tumor in the bladder or kidneys

Dark yellow or orange urine can be caused by:

  • B complex vitamins or carotene
  • Medicines 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 medicines
  • Bilirubin
  • Medicines, 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 medicine

What to Expect at Your Office Visit

Your provider will perform a physical exam. This may include a rectal or pelvic exam. Your provider 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 your 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 pain, fever, or increase in thirst)?
  • Is there a family history of kidney or bladder cancers?
  • Do you smoke or are you exposed to significant second hand tobacco?
  • Do you work with certain chemicals such as dyes?

Tests that may be done include:

Open References

References

Elsamra SE. Evaluation of the urologic patient: history and physical examination. In: Partin AW, Domochowski RR, Kavoussi LR, Peters CA, eds. Campbell-Walsh-Wein Urology. 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 1.

Gharavi AG, Landry DW. Approach to the patient with renal disease. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 100.

  • Female urinary tract

    Female urinary tract - illustration

    The female and male urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Female urinary tract

    illustration

  • Male urinary tract

    Male urinary tract - illustration

    The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.

    Male urinary tract

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

Tests for Urine - abnormal color

 
 

Review Date: 7/1/2023

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06/01/2025
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