Urine - abnormal color

Alternative Names

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Make an appointment with your health care provider if you have:

• Clear, dark-brown urine, particularly if accompanied by pale stools and yellow skin and eyes
• Pink, red, or smoky-brown urine, and the color change was not expected (due to a medication)
• Abnormal urine color that persists without explanation

The doctor will perform a physical exam, which may include a rectal or pelvic exam. You will be asked questions about your medical history and symptoms, including:

• Time pattern
  • When did this begin?
  • Did this begin suddenly?
• Quality
  • What color is the urine?
  • Is it consistently the same color throughout the day?
  • Do you have increased or decreased urination?
  • Can you see blood in the urine?
  • Is there an unusual odor?
• Aggravating factors
  • What medicines do you take?
  • Have you eaten foods such as colored candy, beets, berries, or rhubarb?
• Other
  • What other symptoms do you have? (For example,pain when urinating, abdominal pain,back pain or fever)
  • Are you drinking fewer fluids or have decreased thirst?
  • Do you have a decreased appetite?
  • Have you had any previous urinary problems or kidney problems?
  • Do you have any allergies?

Tests that may be done include:

• Blood tests, including liver function tests, if appropriate
• Clean catch urine sample
• Urinalysis
• Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder

References

Patel HP. The abnormal urinalysis. Pediatr Clin North Am. Jun 2006; 53(3): 325-37, v.

Wein AJ. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2007.