Urine - abnormal color

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Overview

Treatment

Urine - abnormal color

Alternative Names:

Discoloration of urine
Call your health care provider if:

There is clear, dark-brown urine, particularly if accompanied by pale stools and yellow skin and eyes.
There is pink, red, or smoky-brown urine, and the color change was not expected (due to a medication).
Abnormal urine color is persistent and unexplained or accompanied by other unexplained symptoms.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

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The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting abnormal urine color in detail may include:

Time pattern
- When did this begin?
- Did this begin suddenly?
Quality
- Is there any pain associated with urination?
- What color is the urine?
- Is it consistently the same color throughout the day?
- Is the quantity of urine per day decreased? Increased?
- Is any blood visible?
- Is there an odor?
Aggravating factors
- Are medications being taken that could cause this change in color?
- Have foods been eaten that could account for this change in color (such as colored candy, beets, berries, rhubarb)?
Relieving factors:
- Does a change in diet change the color of the urine?
- Does a change in medication change the color of the urine? (Note: NEVER change medications without first consulting your health care provider.)
Other
- What other symptoms are also present?
- Has there been a decreased fluid intake or decreased thirst?
- Has there been a decreased appetite?
- What medications are being taken?
- Have there been any previous urinary problems or kidney problems?
- Are there any allergies?

A history will be obtained and a physical examination performed (possibly including a rectal or pelvic exam). Take a clean catch urine sample to your health care provider's office.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include: