What should you know about extremely dark urine in the morning?

Urine becomes more concentrated overnight because you usually do not drink while asleep. It may look deeper yellow on waking and become lighter after regular fluids. Brown or tea-coloured urine, repeated dark samples, or colour that stays dark through the day has a wider range of possible explanations. Dehydration and heat-related fluid loss are common possibilities. Hepatitis A or hepatitis B may present with dark urine together with yellowing of the eyes or skin, pale stools, nausea, itching or abdominal discomfort. Medicines and food can also alter colour.

Observe the next samples in good light and drink fluids regularly if you can do so safely. Record whether the colour lightens, plus any pain, fever, vomiting, jaundice, unusual tiredness or change in urination. Seek a clinician’s advice if the colour remains brown after hydration, happens repeatedly, or is accompanied by other symptoms. Do not stop prescribed medicine without discussing a possible colour change.

Get urgent help for dark urine with yellow skin or eyes, confusion, fainting, severe weakness, repeated vomiting, severe abdominal or side pain, or very little urine. After heat exposure, dizziness and inability to drink are warning signs. Pregnancy, known liver disease or a recent hepatitis exposure also justify prompt medical advice.

Ask whether the pattern sounds like overnight concentration or needs testing. Mention your usual fluid intake, heat exposure, medicines, supplements, travel, possible hepatitis exposure, and whether urine lightens later in the day.