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Urine Colour

Urine Analysis Biomarker

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Collection Type: Urine

Body System

Related System: Urine Analysis

Overview

Urine colour is the visual appearance of freshly voided urine and is recorded as part of a routine urinalysis. It reflects the concentration and chemical composition of urine (primarily urochrome pigment) and can change with hydration status, presence of blood, bilirubin, myoglobin, pigments from foods or drugs, or infection. Abnormal colours may point to dehydration (dark yellow/amber), hematuria or myoglobinuria (pink/red/brown), bilirubinuria (orange/brown), urinary tract infection or pus (cloudy), or uncommon metabolic disorders (porphyria red/burgundy). Testing is prompted by symptoms such as visible colour change, dark urine with jaundice, flank pain, dysuria, fever or reduced urine output. Age, pregnancy, menstrual contamination, and sex do not change the expected normal colour but influence interpretation (e.g., menstrual blood can mimic hematuria; elderly and infants are more prone to concentrated or pigment-altered urine).

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Test Preparation

No special preparation is required

Why Do I Need This Test

Profile: included in Urine Analysis (routine urinalysis).
Symptoms: visible colour change, dark urine, blood in urine, jaundice, abdominal/flank pain, fever, decreased urine output.
Conditions: dehydration, urinary tract infection, hematuria, liver disease/bilirubinuria, rhabdomyolysis/myoglobinuria, porphyria, medication or dietary effects.
Reasons for abnormal: altered concentration, blood, bilirubin, myoglobin, pigments, infection.
Biological meaning: indicates concentration status or presence of abnormal pigments/cells.
Behaviors/lifestyle: hydration level, strenuous exercise, certain foods/supplements, medications.
Family history: inherited kidney disease, porphyria, hemolytic disorders or liver disease increases need for evaluation.

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Understanding Test Results

Colourless to very pale yellow: overhydration or recent high fluid intake (and sometimes diabetes insipidus if excessive and persistent).
Not usually pathologic if asymptomatic.
Pale/straw yellow: normal dilute urine.
Typical yellow to amber: normal concentrated urine; darker amber usually indicates mild-to-moderate dehydration.
Orange: suggests bilirubinuria (conjugated bilirubin) from cholestasis/liver disease, or due to drugs (e.g., rifampicin, phenazopyridine) or concentrated urine; warrants LFTs if accompanying jaundice.
Pink to red: suggests hematuria (red blood cells) could be infection, stones, glomerular disease, trauma, malignancy or red pigments from foods (beetroot), medications; immediate evaluation if persistent.
Brown/tea-coloured: may indicate myoglobinuria (rhabdomyolysis), severe hemolysis, or high bilirubin; requires urgent evaluation (CK, LFTs, hemolysis workup).
Green/blue: uncommon; may be due to certain drugs, dyes, or Pseudomonas infection.
Cloudy or malodorous: suggests infection, pyuria, or crystals; consider dipstick and microscopy/culture.
Action: any unexplained red/brown/orange or persistently dark urine, or colour change with pain, fever, weakness, or jaundice should prompt prompt clinical evaluation and follow-up tests (dipstick, microscopy, urine culture, blood tests such as CBC, renal function, LFTs, CK) to determine the cause.

Normal Range

Pale yellow to amber (straw to dark yellow) (no units)

FAQs

Q: Which color urine is best?

A: Pale straw to light yellow is ideal it reflects good hydration without over-diluting electrolytes. Dark yellow or amber suggests dehydration; very clear (water-like) can mean overhydration. Red, pink, brown, blue-green, or cloudy urine can signal blood, foods, medications, infections, or liver issues and should prompt medical advice if unexplained. Persistent abnormal color or odor warrants evaluation.

Q: Which color of urine is not good?

A: Unusual urine colors that are concerning include: dark brown or tea‑colored (dehydration, liver disease, muscle breakdown), red or pink (blood, infection, some foods/meds), orange (bile obstruction, dehydration, drugs), green/blue (infection, dyes, medications), and cloudy or foamy urine (urinary tract infection or proteinuria). See a healthcare professional if changes persist or accompany pain, fever, or swelling.

Q: What color is normal urine?

A: Normal urine ranges from very pale yellow to deep amber. The yellow comes from urochrome; hydration mainly determines intensity—pale straw suggests good hydration, darker amber suggests mild to moderate dehydration. Clear urine may indicate overhydration. Persistent very dark, red, brown, or cloudy urine can signal dehydration, foods, medications, blood, or infection and should prompt medical advice.

Q: What color urine indicates kidney problems?

A: Urine colors suggesting kidney problems include dark brown or tea/cola-colored (may signal blood or severe dehydration), pink or red (blood/hematuria), persistent foamy or frothy urine (proteinuria from kidney damage), and cloudy or milky urine (possible infection affecting kidneys/urinary tract). Any unexplained, persistent changes—especially with pain, fever, swelling, or reduced urine output—warrant urgent medical evaluation.

Q: What color is diabetic urine?

A: Diabetic urine is often the usual pale yellow to amber, but uncontrolled diabetes can make it darker—deep yellow, tea‑colored or brown—from dehydration or concentrated urine. Glycosuria and ketonuria may cause cloudy, unusually sweet or fruity‑smelling urine; infections can make it cloudy, foul‑smelling or bloody. Any persistent color or odor change warrants medical evaluation.

Q: What is the color of strong urine?

A: Strong or concentrated urine typically appears darker yellow deep gold, amber, or orange reflecting dehydration or concentrated waste. Bright neon yellow can result from B vitamins; foods and medications may also change color. Very dark brown or tea-colored urine can signal liver problems or blood breakdown and warrants prompt medical evaluation. See a clinician if concerned.