Dark tea-coloured urine: what to know

A darker shade can appear when the kidneys conserve water during dehydration, after heavy sweating, or during an illness that limits drinking. Heat Exhaustion may combine dark urine with thirst, headache, dizziness, nausea, or weakness. Dark urine plus yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, itching, or abdominal discomfort may occur when the liver or bile system is affected, including with Hepatitis A or Hepatitis B. Some medicines, supplements, and foods can also change urine colour. The pattern and accompanying symptoms matter more than one observation.

Note when the colour began and whether it followed heat, exercise, vomiting, diarrhoea, or reduced drinking. Review new medicines and supplements, but do not discontinue prescribed treatment without advice. If you can drink normally, take fluids at regular intervals and monitor the next urine samples. Contact a clinician if the colour remains dark, returns without a clear trigger, or appears with pain, fever, jaundice, or reduced urination. A urine test and blood tests may be needed.

Get urgent help for confusion, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, very little urine, severe pain, fever, or yellow skin or eyes. Symptoms worsening after time in the heat need prompt assessment, particularly if dizziness or altered behaviour develops.

Could fluid loss explain this shade? Do the associated symptoms suggest liver or urinary testing? Are any of my medicines relevant? What change in urine output should prompt urgent care?