Urine color generally ranges from a pale-yellow Color to deep amber. This coloring is primarily caused by the pigment urochrome. Whether your Urine is diluted by water or more concentrated determines how the pigment will appear. The more water you drink, and the more hydrated you become, the lighter the pigment in your urine. The pigments and chemical compounds in the foods you eat and the medications you take can also alter the color of your urine. These changes are fairly standard and typically don’t last for long. Certain changes in color may be a sign of an underlying medical condition.

Symptoms
Normal urine color varies, depending on how much water you drink. Fluids dilute the yellow pigments in urine, so the more you drink, the clearer your urine looks. When you drink less, the color becomes more concentrated. Severe dehydration can produce urine the color of amber.But urine can turn colors far beyond what’s normal, including red, blue, green, dark brown and cloudy white.

When to see a doctor
Seek medical attention if you have:

Visible blood in your urine. Bloody urine is common in urinary tract infections and kidney stones. These problems usually cause pain.

Dark or orange urine. If your urine is dark or orange — particularly if you also have pale stools and yellow skin and eyes — your liver might be malfunctioning.

What your urine can tell you
Here’s a quick lowdown for you. A little uncomfortable, but very important information that you should know.

When your urine is clear, it can indicate:

You’re drinking too many liquids. Be careful not to over-hydrate. Shoot for drinking half your body weight in ounces of water each day.

When your urine is bright or neon yellow, it can indicate:

Vitamin supplements that are being taken in excess or not being absorbed by your body. Word to the wise: take whole food-based vitamin supplements for better absorption.

When your urine is dark yellow or gold, it usually indicates one thing:

Dehydration.Get your drink on. Shoot for drinking half your body weight in ounces (i.e. if you weigh 130 pounds, shoot for 65 ounces of water per day).

When your urine is pink or red, it is usually indicative of:

Blood in the urine from a kidney or bladder infection.You’ve eaten too many pink or red foods like beets or berries or foods that are artificially colored.A side effect of some laxatives.

When your urine is orange, it usually indicates:

A side effect of a medication you’re taking. Ask your doctor about this, and bring your medication with you to the doctor’s visit.You’ve eaten too many orange or red foods like beets and berries or foods that are artificially colored.Dehydration.

If your urine is ever blue or green, it can indicate:

A side effect of certain medications; see your doc.You’ve eaten too many green foods, especially asparagus or foods that are artificially colored blue or green.

When your urine is dark brown or tea colored, it can indicate:

A liver disorder, especially if accompanied by pale stools and a yellow, jaundiced complexion.A side effect of certain medications.

Treatment
If your doctor discovers that your dark-yellow urine color is due to dehydration, they will recommend that you add more fluids to your diet. The color of your urine should return to its normal yellow color within days. If an underlying medical condition is found, your doctor will pursue treatment for that condition.

If your urine takes on a dark-yellow color, it may be your body’s way of telling you to drink more water. This change in color may be caused by dehydration, so make sure to drink up. Whether you’re sitting at the office, working out at the gym, or laying out at the beach, it’s important to stay hydrated. If you’re taking any medication that causes this discoloration, it’s likely harmless. You should continue taking the medication under the supervision of your doctor, unless you’re advisedotherwise.