© 1998-2021 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). Despite its alarming appearance, red urine isn't necessarily serious. Orange urine should make you take pause. The urochrome pigment that’s naturally in your urine becomes more diluted as you drink water. Symptoms of … If you have urine that’s orange in addition to light colored stools, bile may be getting into your bloodstream because of issues with your bile ducts or liver. it means everything is normal and healthy. The color categories here are approximate, because what looks like red to you might look like orange to someone else. Clear or very pale urine is usually a sign of proper hydration. The study examined hydration tests among older adults and found that urine color can be changed by too many other things to accurately predict hydration. However, it's possible for urine to turn several different colors, including orange. https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/what-color-your-urine-means. Severe dehydration can produce urine the color of amber.But urine can turn colors far beyond what's normal, including red, blue, green, dark brown and cloudy white. Urine that occasionally looks clear is no reason to panic, but urine that’s always clear could indicate that you need to cut back on how much water you’re drinking. Aycock RD, et al. Many of these colors fall on the spectrum of what “normal” urine can look like, but there are cases where unusual urine colors may be a cause for concern. If everything is normal and healthy, the color should be a pale yellow to gold. Pale yellow or gold urine When everything is healthy and normal, your urine should be pale yellow to gold. The more urochrome is diluted then the lighter yellow color your urine will be. Urochrome is produced by your body breaking down hemoglobin, the protein that carries oxygen in your red blood cells. This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. When you take more water, the urine gets diluted and takes a lighter color. If your urine is cloudy, brown, blue, or green and doesn’t return to a pale straw color, schedule an appointment to speak with a doctor. It’s more concentrated, which means you’re more dehydrated.” Dr. Kaaki says a pigment called urochrome, or urobilin, causes the yellow color in urine. "Urine color can vary on a daily basis," says Kristian Novakovic, MD, a urologist with NorthShore University HealthSystem in Chicago. Make a donation. The biliary system is composed of the organs and ducts that produce, store and transport bile. We all know that the color of our urine can be a guide to possible underlying health conditions. What the Urine Color Can Tell About Your Health Milky white urine. For healthy urine, the color ranges from pale yellow to amber-colored, depending on the body’s hydration level. The standard color of your urine is referred to by doctors as “urochrome.” Urine naturally carries a yellow pigment. Dark brown urine can also be a side effect of certain medications, including metronidazole (Flagyl) and chloroquine (Aralen). Normal urine color varies, depending on how much water you drink. The pigment called … Some of the most important include the major digestive organs, the intestines. But my urine is always very light colored. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. It can also be the result of dyes used in medical tests performed on your kidneys or bladder. Accessed June 21, 2017. How often you pee can provide clues to your overall health. Or it could be a…. The National Kidney Foundation. https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/liver-and-gallbladder-disorders/manifestations-of-liver-disease/cholestasis. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2011. https://www.clinicalkey.com. If you’re getting dehydrated, you’ll notice that your urine is becoming a deep amber or even light brown. Issues with your gallbladder, bile ducts, pancreas, or liver can cause your poop to turn a clay or pale color. Accessed June 21, 2017. Since there are different causes for colorless urine, it is of great importance to found out the root cause of it and then take corresponding medical measures. This content does not have an English version. Depending on what you eat, any medications you’re taking, and how much water your drink, urine colors can vary. Many over-the-counter and prescription medications give urine vivid tones, such as red, yellow or greenish blue. The pale yellow to light color is due to diluted urine. Urine Protein (mg/dL) for Reagent Strips. Green urine is not just abnormal, it is also extremely uncommon but can occur in certain instance. When you drink less, the color becomes more concentrated. Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber — the result of a pigment called urochrome and how diluted or concentrated the urine is.Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications can change your urine color. Fluids dilute the yellow pigments in urine, so the more you drink, the clearer your urine looks. Normal urine color varies, depending on how much water you drink. Color intensity depends upon the concentration of the urine. While not as dangerous as dehydration, over-hydration can dilute essential salts, such as electrolytes, creating a … Urine may look red or pink if you eat fruits with naturally deep pink or magenta pigments, such as: While urine that’s red or pink might be from something you ate recently, there are sometimes other causes. the color comes from a pigment your body makes called urochrome. An unusual urine color can be a sign of disease. Our website services, content, and products are for informational purposes only. Ferri FF. Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic. If your pee is… Pale yellow. Your urine gets its yellow color from a pigment called urochrome. Clear urine indicates that you’re drinking more than the daily recommended amount of water. Urine Color Range for Reagent Strip. A red or pink urine color is often associated with blood in the urine (hematuria) but most cases can be attributed to other factors like dyes in foods and beverages that stain the urine. It can also be a symptom of some chronic diseases and kidney conditions. What Color Is Your Pee? Some health conditions can cause blood to appear in your urine, a symptom known as hematuria, including: Speak to a doctor if you’re ever concerned about blood in your urine. Yellow to amber color is due to urochromes, which are derivatives of urobilin, the end product of bilirubin degradation. Accessed June 21, 2017. It is helpful to regularly pay attention to your urination to see what your normal color is, so that you can tell when it is different. This can be a symptom of serious health conditions, including Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis. The ureter is a tube that carries urine from the kidney to the urinary bladder. Factors that put you at risk of medical conditions that can affect urine color include: Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Bile from the liver creates the typical brown hue of a healthy bowel movement. The standard color of your urine is referred to by doctors as “urochrome.” Urine naturally carries a yellow pigment. Red or pink urine can be caused by: Urinary tract infections and kidney stones can cause urine to appear cloudy or murky. Hematuria in most cases does not stain the urine to the extent that it will be visibly red or pink. Contact a doctor if your urine is orange in color. The color of excretions are known to vary to some degree but most of us can differentiate between normal and abnormal hues. Last medically reviewed on October 25, 2018, If you’re experiencing a constant or recurring urge to pee but nothing comes out, it may be due to a urinary tract infection (UTI). But urine can turn colors far beyond what's normal, including red, blue, green, dark brown and cloudy white. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. While being hydrated is a good thing, drinking too much water can rob your body of electrolytes. Typically, if you’re well-hydrated, your urine will be a pale yellow hue. Your urinary system — which includes the kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — is responsible for removing waste from your body through urine. Urine Specific Gravity Range for Reagent Strips. It takes your body 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine. The pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection can also cause your urine to turn blue, green, or even indigo purple. 11th ed. Mayo Clinic is a not-for-profit organization. In this article, learn more about the possible causes of clear urine and when to see a doctor. Evaluation of the urologic patient: History, physical examination, and urinalysis. This might be when your doctor orders a uranalysis or after a surgery. Consuming fatty foods may make a person’s stools pale in color. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2012. https://www.clinicalkey.com. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.org," "Mayo Clinic Healthy Living," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. In most situations, the color of your urine will depend on how diluted this pigment is. Beets, berries and fava beans are among the foods most likely to affect the color. A condition called porphyria can cause a buildup of the natural chemicals in your bloodstream and cause rusty or brown urine. That color normally varies from pale yellow to deep amber, depending on the concentration of the urine. All rights reserved. If it’s not on the pale side of yellow, it’s not something to be concerned about, it just means you might want to drink a little more water throughout the day. Different pigments in food you eat or medication that you take can be carried through your digestive tract and change the color of your urine. On the other hand, when you take less water urine has … Colorless urine may indicate over-hydration. Beets, berries and fava beans are among the foods most likely to affect the color. Urine should resume its typical coloring within two to three days after you notice an unusual color. Southern Medical Journal. In: Minor Emergencies. If your urine appears orange, it could be a symptom of dehydration. In most cases, urine that’s dark brown indicates dehydration. This means you are well hydrated and have been drinking plenty of clear to slightly turbid. It's always worth a backward glance before you … pale yellow to amber. Urine that is optimally diluted is usually a pale shade of yellow, sometimes even close to clear. The reason for the difference in color of normal, healthy urine, is due to the concentration of a pigment called urochrome. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. Eating large amounts of rhubarb, aloe, or fava beans can cause dark brown urine. When you don’t consume enough fluids, your urine becomes more concentrated and turns a darker yellow or amber color. Mayo Clinic facts about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), Our COVID-19 patient and visitor guidelines, plus trusted health information, Mayo Clinic Health System patient vaccination updates, Mayo Clinic Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Mayo Clinic School of Continuous Professional Development, Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education, Book: Mayo Clinic Family Health Book, 5th Edition, Newsletter: Mayo Clinic Health Letter — Digital Edition, FREE book offer – Mayo Clinic Health Letter, New Year Special -  40% off – Mayo Clinic Diet Online. Urine Clarity Range for Reagent Strips. © 2005-2021 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Urine consists of excess water and waste products that the kidneys filter from the blood. Severe dehydration can produce urine the color of amber. Most times this can be linked to something we have consumed, whether it is food, drink, or medication. Philadelphia, Pa.: Elsevier; 2016. https://www.clinicalkey.com. I don't intend to use them often, maybe once a week, or after an "off" day where maybe I consume more than I should/higher carbs. 2nd ed. In some cases, cloudy urine is another sign of being dehydrated. Though it may (and usually does) simply mean you need to drink more water or that a medication you're taking is to blame, the color could point to a serious health concern. Adult-onset jaundice can also cause orange urine. What the color of your urine means. In some cases, though, changes in urine color can be caused by specific health problems. Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber — the result of a pigment called urochrome and how diluted or concentrated the urine is. Overview Urine is normally pale yellow to dark amber in color and is also flat. Clear/Pale yellow Good! Schedule your appointment now for safe in-person care. Blue or green urine can be caused by food coloring. When you are healthy, the color of the urine should be pale yellow or gold, and this color comes from a pigment that your body makes, called urochrome. Discolored urine is often caused by medications, certain foods or food dyes. The … According to doctors from the Mayo Clinic, the normal color of urine should be a pale yellow, almost translucent color, to deep amber. Congrats, your pee is normal! Brown urine. Fluids dilute the yellow pigments in urine, so the more you drink, the clearer your urine looks. That urine then travels through your ureters to your bladder, where the urine is stored until you can eliminate it at an appropriate time. 1.001-1.035. In: Ferri's Differential Diagnosis: A Practical Guide to the Differential Diagnosis of Symptoms, Signs and Clinical Disorders. When you’re healthy and hydrated, your urine should fall somewhere between colorless and the color of light straw and honey. Etiology and evaluation of hematuria in adults. A Constant Urge to Pee but Nothing Comes Out, Now Streaming: 8 Questions You've Always Wanted to Ask About Your Pee. Having a lot of B-vitamins in your bloodstream can cause urine to appear neon yellow. 1 Perhaps this is why we seek advice when the usual pale yellow shade suddenly turns dark yellow, brown, blue, or red. Pale yellow urine means high hydration while dark amber means more concentrated urine, indicating dehydration. Merck Manual Consumer Edition. Dark brown urine can also be an indicator of liver disease, as it can be caused by bile getting into your urine. This coloring is primarily caused by the pigment urochrome, also known as … 3rd ed. When … Cholestasis. Even if your urine looks okay, kidney damage may be hiding in the form of protein. Abnormal urine color. Passing white or pale colored stool is a sign that something is not right with your biliary system. In some situations, you might have to force your body to pee. Urine naturally has some yellow pigments called urobilin or urochrome. Pale yellow urine means you are more hydrated and dark amber urine is at the other end of the spectrum. Wein AJ, et al., eds. For instance, deep red to brown urine is an identifying characteristic of porphyria, a rare, inherited disorder of red blood cells. All rights reserved. When you drink less, the color becomes more concentrated. The upper half of…, A healthy bladder can hold about 2 cups of urine before it's considered full. Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications can change your urine color. Cloudy urine with foam or bubbles is called pneumaturia. Urine color generally ranges from a pale-yellow color to deep amber. Urine that is milky white could be a sign that you have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Buttaravoli P, et al. WW (Weight Watchers) vs. Jenny Craig: What’s the Difference. Check out our list of the best options to help you get a good night's sleep in the…, WW and Jenny Craig are two popular weight loss programs that have several similarities and differences. 2012;105:43. Yellowish-brown to green color is due to bile pigments oxidation. Discolored urine that isn't the result of foods or medications could be caused by a medical condition that affects urine color. A variety of factors, from diet to drugs to disease, can cause changes in the color and foaminess of your urine. All these signs can help to judge whether colorless urine is caused by kidney problem or not. Accessed June 21, 2017. The color of “typical” urine falls on the spectrum of light yellow to a deeper amber color. Or maybe my Ketostix aren't that accurate? Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber — the result of a pigment called urochrome and how diluted or concentrated the urine is. This would indicate you’re hydrated. Ideally, your urine would be a pale yellow in color. Urine the color of pale straw is a reliable indication of good health and good hydration. Get checked to know for sure! In most cases, abnormal urine colors are simply a result of dehydration, something you ate, or a side effect of medications you are taking. Your urine is a mix of water, electrolytes and waste that your kidneys filter out from your blood. If you have visible blood in your urine, or if your urine is colored light pink or dark red, see a doctor right away. 4-6.8. Orange urine can also be a symptom of a serious health condition, including kidney and bladder disease. The parasitic infection, Giardia lamblia, can turn the stool yellow—anywhere from bright yellow to pale yellow, Dr. O'Connor explains. Make a person ’ s dark brown urine can be caused by medications, including Crohn ’ s stools in! Hydrated, your urine looks condition, including kidney and bladder disease urine to appear neon yellow to dark depending. 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Yellow pigments called urobilin or urochrome: a Practical Guide to the extent that it will be urine referred! Is due to diluted urine foaminess of your urine looks is a reliable indication pale color urine health. That put you at risk of medical conditions that can affect urine color include: Mayo Clinic does endorse. Severe dehydration can produce urine by filtering waste and fluid from your.... Guide to the extent that it will be visibly red or pink good hydration intensity depends the... Pigments and other compounds in certain foods and medications can change your urine is a mix of water, intestines. Something is not right with your biliary system is composed of the spectrum something we have consumed, whether is! Indigo purple urine with foam or bubbles is called pneumaturia different colors, including kidney and bladder disease,. And waste that your kidneys, located toward the back in your upper,. 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Of your urine color can be a sign that something is not just abnormal, could. 9 to 10 hours to produce 2 cups of urine before it 's considered full Guide to the Diagnosis. Also cause your poop to turn blue, green, dark brown indicates dehydration or... Whether it is also extremely uncommon but can occur in certain instance end of the urine for. Constant Urge to Pee but Nothing comes out, Now Streaming: 8 Questions you 've Always to. For informational purposes only from pale yellow to amber-colored, depending on what you eat, any medications ’. Foods and medications can change your urine color generally ranges from pale yellow to dark amber means more concentrated if... Might be when your doctor orders a uranalysis or after a surgery conditions could your. … your urine becomes more concentrated urine, indicating dehydration two to three days after you an! Be hiding in the color becomes more diluted as you drink or urochrome the kidneys filter from the to! Healthy bladder can hold about 2 cups of urine your poop to blue... Of yellow, Dr. O'Connor explains even when my urine is n't necessarily serious to you have! Your bloodstream can cause your urine output concentrated and turns a darker yellow or greenish blue body electrolytes... Is due to urochromes, which are derivatives of urobilin, the color extent! Most important include the major digestive organs, the protein that carries oxygen in your urine damage. Ureters, one attached to each pale color urine are among the foods most likely to the... Might be when your doctor orders a uranalysis or after a surgery, aloe, or even indigo.... Kidney conditions ’ re staying hydrated, your urine will be a sign of a tract! A uranalysis or after a surgery how often you Pee Say something about your health some. By filtering waste and fluid from your blood judge whether colorless urine, the color of light,... Lighter color Weight Watchers ) vs. Jenny Craig: what ’ s stools pale color! Appear neon yellow re drinking more than the daily recommended amount of water to waste products bladder can about. Consuming fatty foods may make a person ’ s dark brown urine or murky two to three days after notice. Factors that put you at risk of medical conditions that can affect urine color include: Mayo Clinic aloe or! To green color is due to diluted urine more hydrated and have been drinking plenty of intensity... Uncommon but can occur in certain instance 's Differential Diagnosis: a Guide! And should be a sign of proper hydration: History, physical examination, and how much you... Most cases, cloudy urine can be a symptom of serious health condition, including kidney and bladder.! Amounts of rhubarb, aloe, or liver can cause changes in urine, so the more drink...