This urine color signals health problems

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A general practitioner has named nine urine colors that you should be concerned about.

From dark yellow to pink, any color that varies from pale yellow to straw yellow can be a sign of an underlying health condition.

“The color of your urine can vary depending on factors such as hydration, diet, and medications. “In general, a color ranging from pale yellow to straw yellow is considered normal and indicates adequate hydration. Unusual urine color may indicate underlying health problems,” says the physician.

The yellow color of urine is caused by a pigment called urochrome or urobilin. Your kidneys filter this byproduct from your bloodstream, and it leaves your body in your urine. The more fluids you drink, the lighter the color of the pigment in your urine. The less you drink, the stronger the color.

For example, urine appears paler during pregnancy because your blood volume increases by 50 percent, so your urine becomes clearer and more diluted during pregnancy.

Dark yellow or amber urine can indicate dehydration and the need to drink more fluids.

“Dark brown or tea-colored urine may indicate liver disease or a muscle disorder. If your urine is pink or red, it could be due to blood in the urine. This could indicate kidney problems, urinary tract infections, or other serious problems, such as cancer.”

The therapist also warned about bright orange urine, which could indicate potential liver or bile duct problems. On the other hand, lighter orange urine could be caused by certain medications or eating foods high in beta-carotene, such as carrots.

Blue or green urine is extremely rare and can be caused by certain medications or dyes. Such colors could indicate a rare genetic condition called Hartnup disease. Hartnup disease occurs when the body is unable to absorb certain amino acids from food.

Cloudy urine. You may have noticed that the color hasn't changed, but instead your urine has become cloudier.

“This could be caused by an infection, such as a UTI.”

While urine color can give some insight into your health, it's only one factor among many.

It's important to consider other symptoms and consult a doctor for a proper evaluation if you have concerns.

Any significant change in urine color that isn't related to diet or medication should be investigated, especially if you have other symptoms, such as fever, chills, back pain, or abdominal pain.

“If the strange color persists for more than 24 hours, see a doctor,” the doctor advises.