What should you know about blood in brown urine?

Urine may look brown when it is concentrated, contains blood that has changed colour, or carries pigment from food or medicine. Blood in urine is called haematuria. A urinary tract infection can present with blood alongside burning, frequent urination, or an urgent need to pass urine. Kidney stones can present with blood and waves of side or groin pain. A kidney infection can present with blood, fever, chills, or pain in the back or side. In men, prostate inflammation or an enlarged prostate may also present with urinary bleeding or troublesome flow. Less common but significant causes include bladder or prostate cancer and inherited conditions such as sickle cell disease; a symptom does not establish any one diagnosis.

Arrange a medical assessment, even if the brown colour fades. A clinician may ask when it began, whether it followed exercise, what medicines or supplements you use, and whether the sample could be mixed with menstrual blood. A urine test can look for red blood cells, infection, and other clues; further examination depends on the findings. Do not start leftover antibiotics. Drink your usual fluids unless a clinician has given you a fluid restriction, and note pain, fever, clots, or changes in urine output.

Seek urgent care for heavy visible bleeding, blood clots that make urination difficult, inability to pass urine, severe side or back pain, fever with shaking chills, vomiting, faintness, or marked weakness. Pregnancy, a single functioning kidney, known kidney disease, or blood-thinning medicine makes prompt professional advice especially important.

Could the colour be from blood, infection, dehydration, food, or medicine? Which urine tests are needed? Do my symptoms suggest a kidney, bladder, or prostate source? What changes should make me seek urgent help?