What does dark urine mean?

Urine may look deep yellow or amber when you have not taken in enough fluid; dehydration is especially plausible after sweating, vomiting, diarrhoea, or a long period without drinking. Heat exposure can cause dark urine alongside thirst, weakness, headache, or dizziness. Brown or tea-coloured urine can occur when bile enters the urine during a liver problem such as hepatitis. Red, pink, or cola-coloured urine may contain blood or muscle pigment. Foods, supplements, and some medicines can also change urine colour without causing illness.

Notice the exact colour, when it began, and whether it changes after drinking fluids. Replace fluids gradually if you may be dehydrated and are able to drink normally. Review recent exercise, heat exposure, foods, supplements, and medicines. Do not stop a prescribed medicine without advice. If the colour persists, recurs, or has no clear explanation, arrange a clinical assessment; a urine test can help distinguish concentration, blood, bile, and pigment.

Seek urgent medical help for dark urine with severe muscle pain or weakness, very little urine, fainting, confusion, severe abdominal pain, yellow skin or eyes, fever, or visible blood and clots. Prompt assessment is also sensible after intense exertion or heat exposure when urine becomes brown or cola-coloured. These combinations can point to dehydration, liver inflammation, bleeding, or muscle injury that needs testing.

Ask whether the colour suggests concentrated urine, blood, bile, or muscle pigment; whether you need urine and blood tests; and which changes should prompt same-day review. Tell the clinician about recent exercise, heat, illness, new medicines, supplements, and any change in urine amount.