Urine - abnormal color
Discoloration of urineThe 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.
Acute viral hepatitis
Hepatitis B is irritation and swelling (inflammation) of the liver due to infection with the hepatitis B virus (HBV). Other types of viral hepatitis ...
Cirrhosis
Cirrhosis is scarring of the liver and poor liver function. It is the last stage of chronic liver disease.
Rhabdomyolysis
Rhabdomyolysis is the breakdown of muscle tissue that leads to the release of muscle fiber contents into the blood. These substances are harmful to ...
Pink, red, or lighter brown urine can be caused by:
- Beets, blackberries, or certain food colorings
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Hemolytic anemia
Hemolytic anemia
Anemia is a condition in which the body does not have enough healthy red blood cells. Red blood cells provide oxygen to body tissues. Normally, red ...
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- Medicines
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Porphyria
Porphyria
Porphyrias are a group of rare inherited disorders. An important part of hemoglobin, called heme, is not made properly. Hemoglobin is a protein in ...
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Urinary tract disorders that cause bleeding
Urinary tract disorders that cause blee...
Blood in your urine is called hematuria. The amount may be very small and only detected with urine tests or under a microscope. In other cases, the...
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- 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:
- Blood tests, including liver function tests
Liver function tests
Liver function tests are common tests that are used to see how well the liver is working. Tests include:AlbuminAlpha-1 antitrypsinAlkaline phosphata...
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Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder or CT scan
Ultrasound
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to make images of organs and structures inside the body.
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Urinalysis
Urinalysis
Urinalysis is the physical, chemical, and microscopic examination of urine. It involves a number of tests to detect and measure various compounds th...
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Urine culture for infection
Urine culture
A urine culture is a lab test to check for bacteria or other germs in a urine sample. It can be used to check for a urinary tract infection in adults...
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Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy
Cystoscopy is a surgical procedure. This is done to see the inside of the bladder and urethra using a thin, lighted tube.
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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.
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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
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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
-
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 - illustration
The male and female urinary tracts are relatively the same except for the length of the urethra.
Male urinary tract
illustration
Review Date: 7/1/2023
Reviewed By: Kelly L. Stratton, MD, FACS, Associate Professor, Department of Urology, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Oklahoma City, OK. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
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