What Your Urine Colour Can Tell You About Your Health

The colour of your urine can vary depending on your diet, hydration levels, medications, and overall health. While most colour changes are harmless, sometimes they can signal an underlying health issue worth investigating. Let’s take a look at what different urine colours might mean:

Clear Urine

If your urine is completely clear, it often means you're drinking plenty of water — maybe even too much. While good hydration is important, overhydration can deplete essential electrolytes. Occasionally seeing clear urine is no cause for alarm, but if it’s consistently clear without high water intake, it could point to liver issues like cirrhosis or hepatitis. If concerned, it's best to consult your doctor.

Light Yellow to Amber Urine

The typical urine colour ranges from pale yellow to deep amber, thanks to a pigment called urochrome — a byproduct of haemoglobin breakdown. The more water you drink, the lighter your urine becomes. A vivid, neon yellow colour can occur, as discussed in our earlier blog, if you're taking large doses of B vitamins, and it’s usually harmless.

Red or Pink Urine

A reddish or pink tint might simply be due to certain foods, such as beetroot, rhubarb, or blueberries, as discussed in our earlier blog. However, it could also signal blood in the urine (haematuria) from issues like urinary tract infections, kidney stones, an enlarged prostate, or bladder and kidney tumors. Some medications, including certain antibiotics and laxatives, may also cause a pinkish hue. If you're unsure, it’s wise to speak with your healthcare provider.

Orange Urine

Urine that appears orange could be a sign of dehydration. However, it can also indicate bile duct or liver issues, particularly if it's accompanied by pale stools.  Adult onset jaundice can also cause orange urine. Certain medications, such as phenazopyridine (used for urinary discomfort, often sold over the counter), some anti-inflammatory and chemotherapy drugs, can also turn your urine orange.

Blue or Green Urine

Though rare, blue or green urine is most often linked to food dyes (like methylene blue found in some candies and medicines) or specific medications, including amitriptyline and cimetidine. Occasionally, infections like Pseudomonas aeruginosa or genetic conditions such as familial benign hypercalcaemia can cause this unusual colour change.

Dark Brown Urine

Dark brown urine often suggests dehydration, but it can also be caused by foods like fava beans, rhubarb, or aloe vera. Certain medications, such as metronidazole and nitrofurantoin, may darken urine too. On a more serious note, brown urine could signal muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), liver disease, or conditions like porphyria. Post-exercise dark urine — known as exertional haematuria — usually resolves after rest, but if it persists, a doctor’s visit is recommended.

Cloudy or Foamy Urine

Cloudy urine can arise from dehydration, urinary tract infections, chronic diseases, or kidney issues. Pregnant women with cloudy urine should be aware it could indicate pre-eclampsia, a serious condition needing immediate care. Foamy or bubbly urine, known as pneumaturia, may point to intestinal conditions like Crohn’s disease or diverticulitis, though sometimes the cause remains unknown

Final Thoughts:

Your urine can be a helpful window into your body’s inner workings. Minor changes are usually harmless and temporary, but persistent or concerning shifts in colour or appearance should never be ignored. Always seek medical advice if you're unsure — it's better to check early and stay on top of your health!

If you'd like to chat about your urine issue, however small, Schedule a free 20 minute assessment, to have a chat.

Yours in health and happiness

Sandy B Simmons