How often do you peek into the toilet after peeing? Chances are that it is a rare occurrence. Yet, understanding urine colour provides an easy window into how your kidneys function.
If you’re curious about whether there’s a correct colour of urine, how to understand your urine colour, and when you should be concerned, we’ve got all the answers.
With this urine colour chart, we will take you through common colours you might notice so that you have all the information needed to understand your body.
Normal Urine Colours And Their Meanings
Before we discuss what is considered an abnormal colour of urine, it’s important to understand what normal urine colour looks like.
While there is no correct colour of urine, most doctors agree that pale yellow is usually an indicator of a healthy body. This is because it indicates normal levels of the chemical urochrome, which gives urine its yellow colour.
It’s important to remember that though a pale yellow colour is considered standard for healthy urine, there might be variations depending on factors such as diet, medication, body chemistry, etc.
As a rule of thumb, anywhere from transparent to dark yellow urine can be considered normal. This is because urine becomes transparent due to dilution if you drink too much water and turns dark yellow if you are dehydrated. Always remember to hydrate well, especially if you suffer from conditions such as incontinence.
Abnormal Colours of Urine and Possible Causes
Some of the major abnormal colours in urine that you should be aware of include -
1. Amber Colour Urine
Causes of Amber Colour Urine
Impact of Diet
When to Seek Medical Advice
2. Orange Colour Urine
Causes of Orange Colour Urine
Dietary Influences
Medication Effects
- Phenazopyridine used for the treatment of UTI
- Laxatives containing senna herb
- Sulfasalazine (Azulfidine) which is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug
- Certain chemotherapy medicines for cancer treatment
When to Seek Medical Advice
Remember, this urine colour guide is just for reference. Only a professional healthcare provider can diagnose the exact cause of orange urine.
3. Brown Colour Urine
Causes of Brown Colour Urine
Health Risks
- Pain or burning sensation during urination
- Frequent urination
- Fatigue
- Abdominal pain
When to Seek Medical Advice
4. Red/Pink Colour Urine
Causes of Red Colour Urine
Health Risks
When to Seek Medical Advice
5. Blue/Green Colour Urine
Causes of Blue/Green Colour Urine
- Propofol, which is a sedative
- Amitriptyline, which is an antidepressant
- Indomethacin, which is an anti-inflammatory drug
Health Risks
When to Seek Medical Advice
6. Cloudy Urine
Causes of Cloudy Urine
Health Risks
When to Seek Medical Advice
We have summarised these points in a pee colour chart below, which you can refer to for quick reading.
Understanding these abnormal colours in urine becomes even more important if you suffer from urinary problems such as incontinence. Using quality dry pants such as the Friends Premium Adult Dry Pants during the day and the Friends Overnight Diaper Pants at night can help you manage these health issues and monitor your urine colour.
Urine Colour Chart
If you are monitoring your urine colour to assess your health, here is a quick urine colour chart to consult -
|
Urine Colour |
What It Means |
What It Indicates |
|
Pale Yellow |
Normal |
This is an indication of a healthy body. |
|
Transparent |
Normal |
While normal, it might be a sign of overhydration. |
|
Dark Yellow |
Mild cause for concern |
While normal, dark yellow urine can indicate slight dehydration. |
|
Amber |
Alarming |
This indicates severe dehydration. |
|
Orange/Brown |
Alarming |
It can indicate severe dehydration or liver issues. |
|
Red |
Possibly alarming |
While red colour urine might indicate the presence of blood, it also occurs due to certain food items and dyes. |
|
Blue/Green |
Rare but normal |
This is quite rare and usually occurs due to certain medications or dyes. |
|
Cloudy |
Alarming |
It could indicate the presence of an infection. |
Apart from these colour variations, certain conditions can cause foamy urine, too. To understand what this means, you can refer to this blog post.
Conclusion
This urine colour chart makes monitoring your hydration levels and overall health easier than ever. While some colours can be quite normal, others can be a sign of health problems. Using this chart as a guide, you can keep track of your body and reach out to a doctor with your concerns.
FAQs
1. What colour of urine is unhealthy?
Any urine colour other than transparent, pale yellow, and slightly darker yellow may be considered unhealthy. It’s always best to contact a doctor if you feel concerned.
2. What colours indicate problems in urine?
Urine that is amber, brown, orange, or red in colour can indicate certain health issues. Cloudy urine can also point towards an infection.
3. What are some bad signs in urine?
While our urine colour chart might help you spot warning signs, there are several other red flags you should watch out for. Some other signs of poor health you can observe in your urine include foam, foul odour, and sudden increase/decrease in frequency.
4. What colour is diabetic urine?
Diabetic urine does not have a specific colour to indicate the presence of the disease. However, since diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to break down sugar, it can cause sweet-smelling urine in patients. Moreover, as frequent urination is another symptom of diabetes, patients may have urine that is dark yellow or amber due to dehydration.
5. Is clear urine good?
Clear or transparent urine is usually an indication of overhydration. While this is not necessarily bad, be mindful of your fluid consumption, as excess water in the body can dilute electrolytes in extreme circumstances.
