Dark brown urine symptoms to watch for

Thirst, dizziness and reduced urination can accompany fluid loss. Yellow eyes or skin, pale stools, itching, nausea and tiredness can accompany liver or bile-flow problems. Burning, urgency or fever can suggest urinary infection, while muscle pain or weakness after hard exercise can accompany muscle pigment release. Some people have dark urine with no other symptom, so these clues do not establish a diagnosis.

Record the shade, onset, frequency and related symptoms. Review heat, exercise, fluid loss, medicines and supplements. If you can safely drink and have a clear fluid-loss trigger, replace fluids gradually. Seek clinical advice for unexplained, persistent or recurring brown urine; urine testing and blood tests may be appropriate.

Use urgent services for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, inability to keep fluids down, very little urine, severe pain, or rapidly worsening jaundice. Fever with feeling very unwell warrants prompt assessment. Dark urine with muscle pain or weakness after intense activity should be checked promptly.

Could my medicines, fluid loss or exercise explain the shade? What tests would separate urinary, liver, kidney and muscle causes? Which warning signs require urgent care?