Urine Colour Chart- What Is Normal Vs What's Not?

Urine is a liquid byproduct of the body which is secreted by the kidneys through urination and is excreted through the urethra. The main composition of urine is mainly water, comprising 91-96%. However, it also includes nitrogenous molecules such as urea, creatinine, and other metabolic waste components.

Urinating is an important bodily function as it helps the body get rid of waste and maintain chemical balance. The urinary tract also serves as a storage vessel for the liquid waste filtered from the kidneys. Regular urine may look like clear or pale yellow to you, however, certain things can change the colour of your urine. Knowing that is normal and what not could help you understand more about your health. This way you can make an informed decision on when to see a doctor.

The colour of your urine can tell a lot about your health:

This is the normal colour of your urine. This means you are well-hydrated, and your kidneys are working properly. Being hydrated helps, as it helps your body flush out toxins, this is why the light shade of yellow is a good shine.

However, if your urine is completely clear, which means it is white. Then, it cold mean you are drinking too much water. Yes, even drinking too much water can be bad for your health. It could lead to important minerals being washed out of your body.

If you are taking vitamins, especially B vitamins as supplements, then your urine may look bright yellow. This is usually not a sign of concern.

A darker shade of yellow, which is not bright yellow, could mean you are dehydrated. When you do not drink enough water, your body tries to hold onto more water, which makes your urine look more concentrated and darker. The shade of amber could also mean the same.

This could mean extreme dehydration and you may want to drink more water. This could also mean a change in your diet by adding food like carrots or lots of beta-carotene. Some medications can also cause this.

However, if you notice that along with orange urine, your stool is also lighter than usual, it may be a sign of liver or bile duct issues. This is when you should go see a doctor.

While it may sound strange, it can happen! This could happen due to food dyes or certain medications. While it is usually not a problem, if it sticks around it is important to consult a doctor.

Green urine can also be a sign of urinary tract infection (UTI) with a particular kind of bacteria, which could be certain strains of E.coli. That's why it is best to speak to a doctor.

A shade of pink or red could mean a change in diet, which means you have included beets or blueberries. But if you haven't it could mean a sign of blood in urine.

If you are near your period, then it is normal to see blood come out with urine. However, if you are not around your period or are not a menstruator, it could be worrying. This may be a sign of a UTI, kidney stones, or any other kidney issues. This is when you go see a doctor.

While it is extremely rare, but it can happen to people with catheters and is called the purple urine bag syndrome. It usually happens due to bacterial infections. It is best to consult your doctor.

While it could mean extreme dehydration, there could be other interpretation too. It could also be a sign of serious issues like kidney or liver. This also might be a sign of residual blood, which is common at the end of the menstrual cycle. However, if it is not your menstrual cycle and if you are not a menstruator, you must go see a doctor.

If you are also experiencing muscle pain along with brown urine, then it could be a sign of rhabdomyolysis. This is when muscle tissue breaks down fast and releases protein into the bloodstream. This requires immediate medical assistance.

If your urine is very dark, almost black or dark brown, then it could be a rare genetic disorder called alkaptonuria, which can happen if you have severe muscle injury.

This could be a sign of UTI. This could also mean a lot of protein in the urine, which could lead to signal kidney problems.

This could also mean high consumption of phosphorus-rich foods like dairy.