Dark Yellow Urine Causes - What Does It Indicate?
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Medically Reviewed by Dr. Aman Priya Khanna 
Quick Summary
Dark Yellow Urine: Causes and What it Indicates
Dark yellow urine is usually a sign of dehydration. However, it can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, kidney disease, and urinary tract infections.
Here are some other causes of dark yellow urine:
- Taking certain medications, such as antibiotics and diuretics
- Eating certain foods, such as carrots, beets, and asparagus
- Exercising strenuously
- Being in hot weather
If you are concerned about your dark yellow urine, it is important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
Just like our skin, hair, and nails, urine also says a lot about our health and lifestyle. The colour of urine, ranging from pale yellow to amber coloured, is normal. However, when the colour of the urine looks unusual, it might indicate an underlying condition. Usually, dark yellow urine indicates dehydration and is mostly normal. But if the colour persists, then dark yellow urine may be of concern.
Urine contains waste products, electrolytes, and water that the kidney filters. Depending on the ratio of water to waste substances, the urine colour may range from pale yellow to dark amber. Although dark yellow urine is normal in most instances, certain reasons might be contributing to the dark yellow colour of the urine.
Let’s find out more about Dark yellow urine, its causes, and what dark yellow urine indicates.
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How does Urine get its healthy yellow colour?
Urine gets its healthy yellow colour from urobilin. Urobilin is otherwise also called urochrome, and it is a pigment that is produced as a waste product during haemoglobin breakdown.
Urobilin or urochrome is a tetrapyrrole dicarboxylic acid that gives urine its usual colour. The colour of urine also depends on the concentration of urobilin or urochrome. The diluted urobilin or urochrome is, the lighter the colour of the urine. Similarly, the higher the concentration of urobilin or urochrome, the darker the colour of the urine will be.
What does it mean if the colour of the urine is dark yellow?
Dark yellow urine causes or what does dark yellow urine indicate?
There are several factors that may be causing dark yellow urine. Additionally, dark yellow urine may also indicate how healthy an individual is. The various dark yellow urine causes include the following,
- Dehydration
In most cases, dark yellow urine indicates dehydration. One of the most common causes of dark yellow urine is not drinking enough water and fluids. And usually, hydrating or drinking enough water can resolve the condition.
Extreme dehydration may also give a strong smell to the urine along with dark yellow colour along with an increased concentration of urobilin or urochrome, leading to dark yellow-coloured urine. - Jaundice
Neonatal jaundice or jaundice in newborn babies is extremely common. Now, the urine of babies is supposed to be colourless. However, if the baby has neonatal jaundice, it can cause dark yellow urine. - Presence of bilirubin
Bilirubin is a substance that is produced as an end product of haemoglobin (heme) degradation (breakdown). When excessive bilirubin appears in the urine, it will cause dark yellow urine. In some patients, conjugated or direct bilirubin may appear in the urine; however, bilirubin (conjugated) is not supposed to be present in the urine. The presence of bilirubin in the urine and the appearance of dark yellow-coloured urine may be early signs of liver problems like hepatitis. - Taking certain medicines
Certain medicines may cause the urine to turn dark yellow. For example, medicines like sulfasalazine or nitrofurantoin may cause the urine to become dark yellow in colour, - Oliguria
It is a condition in which the output of urine is low. This may be due to dehydration, certain medicines, or any blockage in the urinary tract. One of the symptoms of oliguria is dark yellow to amber-coloured urine. - Vitamin B or beta carotene
Eating foods that are a rich source of beta carotene or vitamin B or taking supplements containing beta carotene or vitamin B may cause the urine to turn dark yellow to orange in colour. - Urinary Tract Infections
If the person is infected with a urinary tract infection, then apart from dark yellow colour, the urine may also look cloudy and have a strong smell to it. Other symptoms that may accompany dark yellow urine include pain in the lower back, burning sensation while urinating (dysuria), and constant urge to pee. - Haemolytic anaemia
Haemolytic anaemia is a condition where the destruction of the red blood cells in the body is faster than their production. There are several symptoms that indicate individuals being affected with haemolytic anaemia. One of the symptoms of hemolytic anaemia includes a dark colour of the urine. - Cirrhosis
When the liver tissues are scarred as a result of long-term damage, liver cirrhosis occurs. Infections from viruses, chronic alcohol consumption, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, cystic fibrosis or use of certain medicines can cause liver scarring. One of the most common symptoms seen in patients having liver cirrhosis is dark colored urine. - Gallstones or Cholelithiasis
When the cholesterol found in the bile hardens, stones can form in the gallbladder. These stones in the gallbladder are called gallstones. Jaundice is a common condition observed in patients having gallstones because the gallstone may pass through the gallbladder and deposit itself on the bile duct responsible for carrying bile juice, thereby blocking the flow of the bile. Since dark yellow coloured urine is usually a symptom of jaundice, it may also be seen in a person having gallstones. - Biliary obstruction
Biliary obstruction occurs when the flow of bile from the liver and into the intestines is impaired by a blockage in the bile duct. As a result of the blockage in the bile duct, bilirubin cannot leave the body through bile, leading to its accumulation. When excessive bilirubin is accumulated in the blood, it causes jaundice. Dark urine in patients having biliary obstruction is seen due to jaundice. - Glomerulonephritis
Glomerulonephritis occurs when the glomeruli which are responsible for filtering the blood, become inflamed. This inflammation of the glomeruli can make it difficult for the kidneys to filter blood. Glomerulonephritis may cause the urine to darken. - Certain Cancers
Certain cancers like cancers of the pancreas, liver and colon may cause jaundice in the patient. Due to jaundice, the patient will experience dark yellow-coloured urine.
What to do for dark yellow urine?
Where usually dark yellow urine is not a cause of concern, it is better to seek medical advice if it doesn’t get better with proper hydration. The following measures can be taken for treating dark yellow urine,
- Adequate hydration: In most cases, dark yellow-coloured urine may be caused due to dehydration. Apart from dark yellow-coloured urine, feeling dizzy, dryness in mouth, constipation, headaches, and dry skin may also indicate dehydration. Drinking enough water will usually resolve the dark yellow urine problem. (21)
- Seeking medical help: Getting treatment for the causes of dark yellow urine, like jaundice, oliguria, and bilirubin in urine, may help in treating the dark yellow colour of the urine. If the dark yellow colour of the urine is caused due to supplements or medicines, then asking the doctor for advice or dose adjustment can help with the dark yellow colour of the urine.
Conclusion
The colour of a person’s urine indicates their health and lifestyle. Several factors may be causing dark yellow urine. These factors include dehydration, neonatal, oliguria, certain supplements and medicines, presence of bilirubin in the urine, gallstones, certain cancers, glomerulonephritis, urinary tract infections (UTIs), liver cirrhosis and haemolytic anaemia.
It is important to recognise and acknowledge when a persistent change in the colour of the urine is noticed. This is because changes in urine colour can be due to an underlying liver condition. Hence, if you notice any abnormal changes in the colour of the urine along with other associated symptoms, do reach out to a doctor to seek medical help immediately!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does dark yellow urine indicate?
In most instances, dark yellow urine indicates dehydration. Drinking adequate water and properly hydrating yourself can help lighten the colour of urine. However, if the urine colour remains dark yellow even after drinking water, it might indicate the presence of bilirubin or oliguria; certain medicines or supplements may also cause the urine to turn dark yellow.
Download AppWhat should I do if my urine is dark yellow?
If you notice that the colour of your urine is dark yellow, it might mean that you are dehydrated, as dark yellow urine indicates a lack of hydration. Drinking adequate water should help lighten the colour of your urine. If hydration doesn’t cause the urine's colour to lighten, you may consult a doctor.
What causes dark yellow urine in males?
What causes dark yellow urine?
In most instances, dark yellow urine indicates dehydration. Drinking adequate water and properly hydrating yourself can help lighten the colour of urine. However, if the urine colour remains dark yellow even after drinking water, it might indicate the presence of bilirubin or oliguria; certain medicines or supplements may also cause the urine to turn dark yellow.
What colour is urine when your kidneys are failing?
A dark brown or red-coloured urine may indicate kidney disorders or even kidney failure. This colour change in the urine occurs when the kidneys fail to perform their function of filtering effectively. As a result of failing kidneys, there is an excessive buildup of substances in the urine, which leads to a dark colour change.
Why is my urine dark even though I drink a lot of water?
If your urine is dark even though you drink a lot of water, then you might be taking certain medicines like sulfasalazine or nitrofurantoin, taking Vitamin B or beta carotene supplements, or might be having oliguria. There is also a possibility of the presence of bilirubin in your urine, which might indicate underlying liver problems. Hence, it is best to consult your healthcare provider if your urine remains dark even though you drink a lot of water.
What are the 3 early warning signs of kidney disease?
What colour of urine is not good?
Dark brown, pink or red, blur or green, cloudy and murky coloured urine is not considered good.
Does dark urine mean liver problems?
What are 4 warning signs of a damaged liver?
Can a fatty liver cause dark urine?
Can high liver enzymes cause dark urine?
Is brown urine an emergency?
Yes, dark brown urine may be an emergency as it may indicate a liver condition or liver problem. For example, brown urine may be an indication of a urinary tract infection, cancers of the kidney or bladder, liver cirrhosis, muscle injury or hepatitis.
What colour is your urine when you have diabetes?
In patients having diabetes, the urine colour may become cloudy due to excessive accumulation of sugar in the urine. In patients having high blood glucose levels, the kidneys may get damaged overtime. Due to this the patient’s kidney will be unable to filter blood effectively and try to work harder, which will ultimately result in dark-coloured urine.
Last Updated on: 19 January 2024
Reviewer
Dr. Aman Priya Khanna
MBBS, DNB General Surgery, Fellowship in Minimal Access Surgery, FIAGES
12 Years Experience
Dr Aman Priya Khanna is a well-known General Surgeon, Proctologist and Bariatric Surgeon currently associated with HealthFort Clinic, Health First Multispecialty Clinic in Delhi. He has 12 years of experience in General Surgery and worke...View More
Author
HexaHealth Care Team
HexaHealth Care Team brings you medical content covering many important conditions, procedures falling under different medical specialities. The content published is thoroughly reviewed by our panel of qualified doctors for its accuracy and relevance.
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