Urine colour can change throughout the day. Sometimes it becomes darker because you have not had enough fluids, but other changes may be linked to food, medicines or health conditions.
Here are seven possible reasons.
1. Dehydration: When you lose more fluid than you take in, urine becomes more concentrated and may look dark yellow or amber.
2. Certain foods: Some foods can temporarily change urine colour. The effect depends on what you eat and how your body processes it.
3. Vitamins: Certain vitamin supplements, especially those containing B vitamins, can make urine appear unusually bright yellow.
4. Medicines: Some medicines can change urine colour. Check the medicine information and ask a pharmacist if you are concerned.
5. Blood in urine: Blood may make urine appear pink, red, brown or tea-coloured. It should always be medically assessed.
6. Liver or bile problems: Certain liver conditions can cause dark brown urine, particularly when accompanied by yellowing of the skin or eyes.
7. Muscle injury: Severe muscle breakdown can release myoglobin into the bloodstream, sometimes making urine look dark or cola-coloured. This can be a medical emergency.
What should you do?
Notice whether the colour change is temporary or persistent and whether you have other symptoms. Drink adequate fluids unless a healthcare professional has advised you to restrict them.
Seek prompt medical assessment for visible blood, persistent brown urine, painful urination, fever or back pain. Dark urine accompanied by jaundice or severe muscle pain also needs urgent attention.
Urine colour alone cannot diagnose kidney disease. A urine test and other investigations may be needed to establish the cause.
Do not ignore repeated unusual changes simply because they are painless.
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