Did you know that long before there were blood tests to check on a person’s health, the ancients derived most of their information from looking at a person’s urine? In fact, before the snake and staff insignia came to represent medicine, the symbol for doctors was a flask with urine in it called the “matula.”
So before you flush and run, take a moment to ponder that golden shower. You may be surprised at what you can learn. You can tell if you are under or overhydrated, whether you may have an infection, and in some cases, paying attention to the color of your urine may even save your life.
Here are some colors to look out for:
This infographic from Cleveland Clinic gives you all the details on the meaning behind the color of your pee.
Image: Cleveland Clinic
No color: You’re drinking a lot of water—possibly a bit too much. You might want to cut back. Then again, you don’t want to determine dehydration based on urine color alone. Dena Rifkin MD, a staff nephrologist at UC San Diego Health, notes that you should “drink to thirst.” In fact, she says, “The eight glasses of water per day is an urban myth as far as most physicians are concerned, and the only people who should be concerned about drinking more are those with a history of kidney stones.”
Pale straw color: You’re normal, healthy, and well-hydrated.
Transparent yellow: You’re normal.
Dark yellow: You’re normal, but you’ll probably want to drink some water soon.
Amber or honey: Your body isn’t getting enough water. Time to drink up!
Syrup or brown ale: You could have liver disease or severe dehydration. Check with your doctor if this color persists.
Pink to reddish: Have you been munching on beets, blueberries, or rhubarb? If so, this coloring is probably just a side effect. If you haven’t, though, it could mean you have blood in your urine, which is a side effect of conditions such as kidney disease, tumors, urinary tract infections, prostate infections, and even lead or mercury poisoning. You should see a doctor just in case.
Orange: If it’s not food dye from something you ate, it could be indicative of dehydration or a liver or bile duct condition. See your doctor pronto.
Blue or green: It could be food dye or a side effect of a medication you’re taking. It could also be a sign of a rare genetic disease or a bacterial infection. Either way, you’ll want to see your doctor.
Purple: Just kidding. There’s no such thing as purple pee!
Foaming or fizzing: If it’s only happening occasionally, it’s probably just a harmless hydraulic effect. If it’s frequent, though, it could be something more serious. Bacteria in the urine can form gas that bubbles. Even worse, a fistula ( a communication) between your bladder and your intestines due to inflammation or cancer, can result in “air” spurting out with your urine when you pee. You know the drill: See your doctor to be sure.
Your urine might not be the end-all-be-all when it comes to diagnosing health problems, but it can be a good place to start. So take a peek at your pee now and then to make sure everything is as it should