What should you know about dark orange yellow urine?

Urine normally contains yellow pigment, and a smaller amount of water can make that colour look deeper or orange. This can happen in the morning, after sweating, exercise, hot weather, vomiting or diarrhoea. Food, supplements and medicines may also change the shade. A colour that remains orange, darkens toward brown or appears with yellow eyes or skin, pale stools, itching, nausea or upper abdominal discomfort needs a different level of attention because liver and bile problems can affect urine pigment. The shade alone cannot distinguish these possibilities.

If you can drink normally, take fluids at a steady pace and compare later samples. Do not force fluids if a clinician has prescribed a restriction. Note the colour, urine amount, smell, pain, fever, bowel changes and any new medicine, vitamin or supplement. A pharmacist can check whether a product may alter urine shade. Contact primary care if the colour does not settle, keeps recurring, or is accompanied by other symptoms; testing may include urine and blood checks. Related information is available under [Dark Urine](/symptoms/dark-urine/).

Use urgent services for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal or side pain, very little urine, or fever with a markedly unwell feeling. Arrange prompt assessment for blood in urine, painful urination, yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools or persistent itching. Heat exposure followed by headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea or heavy sweating may indicate [Heat Exhaustion](/conditions/heat-exhaustion/) and calls for timely care.

Ask whether the colour pattern fits concentrated urine or needs investigation for a liver, bile or urinary cause. Tell the clinician whether it is only the first sample, what fluids you have taken, and whether you have had heat, exercise or illness. Bring a list of medicines and supplements and ask what test results or symptoms require rapid follow-up.