Dark urine what does it mean

Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Normal urine color ranges from pale yellow to deep amber — the result of a pigment called urochrome and how diluted or concentrated the urine is. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Female urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Female urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine.

Male urinary system Open pop-up dialog box Close. Male urinary system Your urinary system — which includes your kidneys, ureters, bladder and urethra — removes waste from your body through urine. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Wein AJ, et al. Evaluation of the urologic patient: History, physical examination, and urinalysis. In: Campbell-Walsh Urology. Philadelphia, Pa. Accessed June 21, Kurtz M, et al. If your doctor suspects complicated urinary tract infection UTI , there are several treatment options they may recommend.

Learn what to expect if you…. Cystocele is a condition in which the bladder protrudes into the vagina. We explain the causes, diagnosis, treatment, and more. A urine pH level test analyzes the acidity or alkalinity of a urine sample. Discover why it's important, what a normal urine pH level is, how to…. Foul-smelling urine is not a symptom or sign of cancer. It can, however, indicate other conditions, such as urinary tract infections or STIs.

The idea that urine is sterile is a pervasive idea, but what does the research say? Painful urination may be a sign of a urinary tract infection UTI , sexually transmitted infection STI , or other cause. Learn more about relieving…. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Why Is My Urine Dark? Medically reviewed by Elaine K.

Luo, M. Causes Outside factors When to see a doctor Diagnosis and treatment Prevention Overview Dark urine is deeper in color than urine that is usually straw to yellow in color. Associated diagnoses. Outside factors that affect urine. When to call your doctor. Diagnosis and treatments.

Preventing dark urine. Read this next. Is Blue Urine Normal? Urine Colors Explained. Medically reviewed by Gerhard Whitworth, R. Why Is My Urine Foamy? Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD. Medically reviewed by Alana Biggers, M. Medically reviewed by Debra Rose Wilson, Ph. Children, older adults, and people living with severe illnesses, such as cancer , are more prone to dehydration. In most cases, people can treat dehydration by drinking more clear fluids, such as water and herbal tea.

Beets and blackberries can turn the urine red and eating rhubarb can result in a dark brown or tea-like color. Red blood cells develop in the bone marrow.

The body usually destroys old or faulty red blood cells in the spleen in a process called hemolysis. When the body mistakenly destroys too many red blood cells, a person might develop hemolytic anemia. Genetic blood disorders, such as sickle cell disease or thalassemia, can also lead to hemolytic anemia.

It is also a potential side effect of some medicines and can sometimes occur after blood transfusions. Urinary tract infections UTIs happen when bacteria get into the bladder, usually through the urethra. Women tend to develop UTIs more often than men, and many people know them as bladder infections or cystitis.

The hepatitis C virus HCV can cause an infection of the liver. It has few symptoms during the early stages, so many people do not know they have it until liver damage starts causing problems. Because it affects how the liver processes waste, HCV may cause dark urine. People who received a blood transfusion or organ transplant before July or a blood product for clotting problems manufactured before are at risk of having HCV.

Other risk factors include sharing needles, having sex without a condom with a person who has HCV, and receiving tattoos using unsterile equipment. If symptoms do occur, they usually appear within 2 weeks to 6 months of exposure to the virus.

They are generally mild and may include:. People experiencing severe dehydration may need rehydration therapy. This process usually involves administering oral rehydration salts or fluids and electrolytes in the hospital. Dark urine due to food, drink, or medications is not usually a cause for concern. The urine will return to its normal color once a person stops consuming whatever is causing the change.

Many mild cases of hemolytic anemia do not require treatment. For others, lifestyle changes can help control symptoms.