Urine test by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Urine Color information

Urine is a waste product made by the kidneys. The kidneys remove waste material, minerals, fluids, and other substances from the blood for elimination in the urine. Therefore, urine can contain hundreds of different bodily waste products. Many factors, such as diet, fluid intake, exercise, and kidney function, affect what is in your urine. One of the ways to keep your urine healthy is to drink plenty of water and eat a good diet. See diet for suggestions.

Urine Test

A urine test measures several different components of urine. A routine urine screening test may be done to help find the cause for many types of symptoms. The test can provide information about your overall health and clues to many conditions.

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Blood in urine
Blood in the urine is called "hematuria" and may indicate quite severe problems. Bleeding can arise within the urinary system in areas such as the kidneys, bladder, prostate or other parts of the urinary tract. Blood in urine may appear as reddening or darkened urine or other urine color changes such as smoky, orangish or pinkish hues. Visible streaks of blood may also appear in the urine. The appearance of blood in the urine or any urine color changes needs prompt professional medical investigation.

   Since blood in the urine must come from one of the organs involved in making or transporting the urine, the evaluation of hematuria requires that we consider the entire urinary tract. This organ system includes the kidneys, ureter (the tube that carries the urine from the kidney to the bladder), bladder, prostate, or urethra (tube leading out of the bladder). It must be emphasized that even a single episode of hematuria requires evaluation, even if it resolves spontaneously.

Protein in urine
Urine protein is tested by one of these methods: 1. To quickly see whether or not protein is present in urine, a "spot test" is used. In this test, a chemically treated stick is dipped into a random sample of urine, simply to see if protein is detectable. 2. To actually measure how much protein is being excreted in the urine, a 24-hour urine sample is required.

Urine odor - Urine Smell
The normal odor of urine is aromatic. Abnormal urine odor may indicate: Hepatic (liver) failure, Ketonuria, Maple sugar urine disease (very rare), Phenylketonuria (rare), Rectal fistula, urinary tract infection.

Cloudy urine - Urine Color

Any changes in urine color, or the presence of an abnormal urine color that cannot be linked to the consumption of a food or drug, should be reported to the doctor. Especially if it happens for longer than a day or two, or if there are repeated episodes. Cloudy urine, murky, or turbid (muddy) urine is characteristic of a urinary tract infection, which may also have an offensive urine smell. Murky urine may also be caused by the presence of bacteria, mucus, white blood cells or red blood cells, epithelial cells, fat, or phosphates and often indicates urine infection. Dark brown or clear urine is characteristic of a liver disorder such as acute viral hepatitis or cirrhosis. Pink, red, or smoky brown urine can be a side effect of a medication or may be caused by the recent consumption of beets, blackberries or certain food colorings. It is also characteristic of a urinary tract disorder in which bleeding occurs such as cystitis, enlarged prostate, kidney cancer, bladder tumor, tuberculosis, bladder stones, or kidney infection. Dark yellow or orange urine can be caused by recent use of laxatives or consumption of B complex vitamins or carotene. Orange urine is often caused by pyridium (used in the treatment of urinary tract infections), rifampin, and warfarin. Green or blue urine is due to the effect of artificial color in food or drug. It may also result from medications including amitriptyline, indomethacin, and doxorubicin. Some dyes used in candy may be excreted in the urine, and a wide variety of drugs can discolor the urine.
   B vitamins can make urine turn a darker yellow. Eating beets can make urine look reddish. Some people get worried when they see reddish urine thinking that they are bleeding, but it is just some of the colored carotenoids and flavonoids in beets.

Urine Questions

Q. Have you ever heard of DHEA causing blood in the urine? I have been on 50 mg of DHEA for going on 2 years now. My DHEA cap looks just like my anti oxidant cap. On two occasions (9 months apart) I mistakenly took a double dose (100 MG) of DHEA. On both occasions, I experienced a slight color indication of blood in the urine several hours later. The indication was gone by the following morning.
   A. This is the first time anyone has reported to us blood in urine with the use of DHEA. We doubt there is a relation.

Q. I would like your opinion on urine therapy. I've read the books and am still unsure as what to believe.
   A. I have not studied urine therapy in any detail and do not know the benefits of harm in this kind of treatment. My guess is that whatever benefits urine therapy may offer for a particular medical condition, there probably are other natural treatment methods that are easier to "swallow."