What's the color of your urine?

Some of my patients often ask about the significance of a dark color urine. Medications and foods are often among the most common culprits. Phenazopyridine, a medication used to treat urinary discomfort will turn your urine orange. Blood may slightly tint your pee from a chrome yellow to an alloy orange. Dehydration can darken your urine.

I’ve combined two references to provide you with a list of urine colors and their possible meaning. Kristen Domonell, a health communication expert, published an easy to read and informative article that matches well with the in-depth review from the Mayo Clinic.

• Clear like water: most likely overhydration
• Pale yellow: the color you are looking for
• Cloudy: possible urinary tract infection or contamination by vaginal discharge
• Bright yellow: an excess of riboflavin (vitamin B2) found in supplements and eggs
• Brownish yellow: normally concentrated urine or dehydration
• Red or pink urine: Blood, medications like rifampin or phenazopyridine, beets, blackberries or rhubarb
• Dark brown: extreme exercise causing muscle damage and release of myoglobin in the urine, some liver and kidney conditions, large consumption of fava beans.
• Blue or green urine: dyes used in food or some bladder tests; medications like indomethacin, a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory; hypercalcemia, a rare familial disease also called the blue diaper syndrome

Remember always to consult your doctor for any medical decision.

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