If you have found yourself here, reading this blog post about urine color, chances are you have glanced in the toilet before flushing and thought “well that’s a little different”.
The different colors you see are actually thanks to your Urochrome. Urochrome is a waste product derived from the breakdown of hemoglobin. This is what gives urine its pigmentation.
Your urine (and everyone else’s) can go through a wide variety of colors and appearances. Did you know the different coloring of your urine can actually be telling you things about your body? Some colors (whether red or not) actually act as a red flag, telling us something is going on, and we should seek medical guidance from a Urology Specialist in Dayton, Ohio.
So let’s get to it. Read on to see what the color of your urine could be telling you:
Normal urine comes out pale yellow to gold, the intensity of color reflecting factors such as how well-hydrated one is, diet, vitamins are taken, and even the amount of exercise one gets. The more concentrated the urine, the darker it becomes. Honey-colored urine, for example, may signal dehydration. Bright yellow pee could be due to high doses of vitamin B.
Pink or Red
The food you eat can affect the color of your urine. Sometimes eating a lot of beets or blackberries could tint your urine pink. Some medications can also cause your urine to appear pink. If these factors are ruled out then pink or red urine could be hematuria, which means you have blood in your urine.
Hematuria acts as a red flag signal for a variety of health concerns including, UTIs, enlarged prostate, bladder or kidney stones, or even urological cancer. If you suspect you have blood in your urine, it is best to seek medical attention to decipher what your body may be telling you.
Orange or Light Brown
High amounts of blood in the urine can turn it dark orange to brown. This too is a common sign of a urinary tract infection, but it also could indicate bleeding from the bladder – a symptom of bladder cancer. Some medications, including anti-inflammatories and some laxatives, may cause urine to take on a reddish-orange tint.
Dark Brown
If your urine looks more like coca-cola it could be due to certain foods such as fava beans or rhubarb or certain medications like antibiotics, laxatives, or muscle relaxers.
Brown urine can also be a sign of liver or kidney malfunction, Hepatitis, or severe dehydration.
Blue or Green
We know blue or green urine sounds crazy, but it does happen. Food dyes have the capability of turning urine green or blue. Other causes include pain treatment or anti-depressant medications, urinary tract infections, or a rare inherited disorder called familial benign hypercalcemia.
When to See a Urology Specialist
The moral of the story is, that oftentimes change in the color of your urine can be normal and simply a side effect of food you consume or a medication you are taking. But it can also be your body’s way of waving a red flag and pushing you to seek medical attention. For this reason, we also advise you to speak with a urology specialist in Dayton, Ohio if the color of your urine is concerning, even if it is just to rule out anything serious. You can always call us for a consultation at Urology Specialist of Ohio!