Clear to yellow urine falls within the normal, healthy range, Clayman says. Odd colors such as blue or orange are usually the result of medications such as certain antibiotics, antidepressants and laxatives. But there are two colors you should never ignore: dark brown and red.
“A healthy urine color range is from pale yellow to amber-colored urine,” Dr. Newton says. “A lot depends on your hydration level. Pale yellow urine means you are more hydrated. Dark amber urine is at the other end of the spectrum, which means the urine is more concentrated, and therefore you're more dehydrated.”
Bright yellow urine is harmless, and is just a sign that you are taking more vitamins than your body needs. You may want to check with your doctor on what vitamins your body does not need as much of so you can cut back.
The color of your pee might not always be pale yellow. Diet, medications, infections and illnesses can affect the color of your pee. It's normal for the color of your pee to fluctuate, but certain colors like red, pink or dark brown should call for a talk with your doctor.
Normal urine (pee) is light yellow. Sometimes, though, you may notice that it's dark yellow or shades of red, orange, or green. Orange urine can be caused by dehydration, vitamins, or a medication side effect. Sometimes, it can also be caused by an underlying medical problem.
Some vitamins, such as A and B-12, can turn urine orange or yellow-orange. Health problems. Orange urine can be a sign of a problem with the liver or bile duct, mainly if you also have light-colored stools. Dehydration also can make your urine look orange.
When kidneys are failing, the increased concentration and accumulation of substances in urine lead to a darker color which may be brown, red or purple. The color change is due to abnormal protein or sugar, high levels of red and white blood cells, and high numbers of tube-shaped particles called cellular casts.
Pale or transparent yellow urine
Diabetes insipidus is a condition in which the body produces excess urine. It can cause people to pass large quantities of light-colored urine every time they urinate. It can also cause people to feel very thirsty, leading them to drink fluids frequently.
Yellow discharge may or may not indicate an infection. If the discharge is a pale yellow, odorless, and not accompanied by other symptoms, it may not be a cause for concern. In other instances, yellow discharge can be a sign of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or a bacterial infection.
Signs of yellow discharge
It's noticeable in your underwear or on toilet paper after using the bathroom. A pale yellow without any odor is considered normal.
Yellow stool may be caused by: Bacterial, viral, or parasitic infections that may be causing malabsorption.
Normal urine is clear, with a yellowish hue, explains Dr. Ghossein, with no blood or foam. But foam is different from bubbles, she says.
A small amount of glucose in your urine is normal. If a random urine sample shows more than 0.25mg/ml, this is considered glycosuria and can be caused by too high blood glucose levels, a problem with your kidney filters, or both.
Foamy, frothy or bubbly urine.
One of the early signs is the appearance of swelling over the ankles, feet or legs: One will start to notice edema at these sites which pits on applying pressure and is termed as pitting edema. As the kidney function begins to fall there is sodium retention which causes swelling in your shin and ankles.
Abnormal urine color may be caused by infection, disease, medicines, or food you eat. Cloudy or milky urine is a sign of a urinary tract infection, which may also cause a bad smell. Milky urine may also be caused by bacteria, crystals, fat, white or red blood cells, or mucus in the urine.
Dark Yellow to Orange
See your doctor for any dark-colored urine that doesn't go away with time and hydration. Anywhere it can indicate a chronic condition, it's better to speak to your doctor sooner rather than later - and a simple noninvasive urine test can establish how much cause for concern you might have.
Many times, your level of hydration causes a change in the color of your urine. If you're severely dehydrated, it may even appear brown. There are other causes of brown pee besides dehydration. Some of them are harmless, while others can be more serious — like infection or blood.
Health Clues From Color
The most optimal color for your urine is a pale yellow. If it is a darker yellow or orange, it can mean you are becoming dehydrated. An orange urine could indicate a serious liver condition. Darker brown can be caused by foods or medication.
Toilets often develop a pink or slightly orange ring around the bowl right at the waterline, especially if the toilet is rarely used. It probably isn't rust or a mineral. The bad news is that slimy, anaerobic bacteria called Serratia Marcescens cause this ring.