
What Is Your Urine Trying to Tell You?
- Yellow? Orange? Brown? Find out what these colors mean for your health.
- 8 glasses a day isn’t the only way
- Your body knows when to H2O
Dear Reader,
“Hey, why is my pee brown?”
“Is there something wrong with me?”
“Wait, does this mean I’m not drinking enough water?”
“How much water am I supposed to drink?”
A few years ago when I was working in a hospital, this was a chain of questions I heard many times a shift. There were two reasons for this:
- 75 percent of Americans are chronically dehydrated.1
- All patients gave a urine sample at the time of admission. This means they were paying very close attention to what was going on with their urine.
While I always referred them to the charge nurse for the answer because she was in charge of their medical treatment plan, I really didn’t know what to tell them — I just drink when I am thirsty.
What I did know — many of the patients on my unit were severely dehydrated. And that certain colors meant certain medical tests were run rather quickly.
I will share what the various shades of urine could say about your health and the dangers of dehydration.
First, let’s talk about the ROYGBIV scale of urine and what it may indicate for your body.
Fifty Shades of Yellow
As you already probably know from firsthand experience, your urine isn’t always the same color.
The shade variations are caused by urochrome, a pigment that becomes lighter or darker depending on its concentration in urine.
Urochrome is the product of the liver, processing dead blood cells, and from the breakdown of bilirubin.
Often when you use the restroom for the first time after sleep, your urine can be darker than it typically is during the rest of the day due to the concentration of urochrome.
You know, that darker yellow that doesn’t show up again until the end of the day when you realize you haven’t had a glass of water since lunchtime.
As the infographic below indicates, you should probably get a glass of water soon, but you aren’t quite in the dehydration range of the scale.
But then there is that post-workout urination. This is the almost-clear and somewhat forceful pee you have after you have chugged down a liter during your run or aerobics class.
Both of these are pretty typical and healthy urination experiences — the different shades caused by your level of hydration.
Yet sometimes the color of your urine can hint that maybe things are less than perfect not only when it comes to your hydration level but other bodily functions.
The ROYGBIV scale of urine. Photo credit: tellyouall.com
On the hospital unit where I worked, many patients gave urine samples that were of the honey/amber shade. When this would happen, staff would tell the patient that they were dehydrated and that they should drink water. If it was cloudy or had a strong odor, the nurse would request a urinary tract infection screening as well.
But sometimes the patients’ urine samples were orange or even brown and sort of thick like a syrup.
When this happened, the doctor would immediately order a liver (hepatic) function panel blood test.
Why, you may ask?
Since urochrome is a product of liver functions, it can also be an indicator of liver disease. Many times, but not always, the panel results would show there was a liver issue.
If you are experiencing frequent dark or unusual urine, you should consult your physician.
Yet brown urine doesn’t always indicate a liver problem. Other reasons for dark urine include certain medications, certain foods, urinary tract infection, and kidney problems. But it could also simply be dehydration.
Dehydration can be a serious health condition on its own.
Know Your H2o
Without the proper amount of water, you can experience fatigue, foggy memory, irritability, slowed metabolism, and increased risk of kidney stones. Water is also vital to keep regular bodily functions in check, like blood volume, brain function, toxin removal, and muscle support.
The most troubling part is knowing how much to drink.
There are many methods, like the “eight glasses eight times a day” rule or an ounce per pound of body weight. Either of these will likely work just fine, but the truth is your body knows what it needs.
The amount you drink really depends on your habits.
Robert A. Huggins, Ph.D., of the University of Connecticut explains:
Fluid needs are dynamic and need to be individualized from person to person. Factors such as sex, environmental conditions, level of heat acclimatization, exercise or work intensity, age, and even diet need to be considered.3
Figure 1: Water is a key part of a healthy body Photo credit: Iowastatedaily.com
Simply put, you should listen to your body. If you are thirsty, you need to grab a glass of water.
Also, be sure to take a look before you flush. If your pee is darker than a glass of lemonade, it’s time to take for a water break.
If you have any hydration hacks you would like to share, please do! nmoore@lfb.org
Live well,
Natalie Moore
Managing editor, Living Well Daily
Sources
[1] 75% of Americans May Suffer From Chronic Dehydration, According to Doctors
[2] The Science of Why Your Pee is a Yellow Color
[3] The Amount of Water You Actually Need Per Day
[4] 15 Outrageous Facts About The Bottled Water Industry

Written By Natalie Moore
Natalie Moore is a dedicated health researcher with a passion for finding healthy, natural, and science-based solutions. After a decade of direct healthcare experience in western and natural medicine, she was involved in public health research before joining Living Well Daily.
View More Free Articles
Men, If You’re Feeling Tired—Don’t Ignore THIS Warning
You know that feeling when you wake up tired… and stay tired all day? You chalk it up to age—but lately, it’s worse. You’re dragging… You need more coffee… Your energy just isn’t what it used to be! But what if it’s not just age? A new study shows that fatigue in older men could...
Mailbag: Science-Backed Strategies Target Belly Fat
“What is an effective strategy for gradually eliminating (white) belly fat?” —Slimming Down Hi Slimming, White fat is the most common fat in the body, and its primary purpose is to store energy. But belly fat isn’t just about appearances. Having too much of it is associated with health issues like diabetes, heart disease, and...
Just 35 Minutes Could SAVE Your Brain
For years, I’ve told you exercise is non-negotiable for healthy aging. As you age you must move more to protect your body and brain. Now, groundbreaking new research confirms what I’ve been saying all along. Exercise can slash your dementia risk—but with a surprising twist that eliminates your last excuse for not moving more. Dementia...
The One Supplement I'll Never Stop Taking
Omega-3s are one of the few supplements I’ve continued to take ever since I graduated from medical school. And now, exciting new research confirms what I’ve suspected all along… This remarkable fatty acid doesn’t only support heart and brain health—it could, quite literally, slow down the aging process itself. Omega-3s are polyunsaturated fats your body...
Your Morning Tea Pulls DOUBLE DUTY as a Heavy Metal Detox
You don’t need another reason to drink tea, do you? You already know tea helps with everything from boosting heart health and metabolism to reducing stress. It’s packed with antioxidants, calms inflammation, and gives you a gentler caffeine boost than coffee. But now researchers have discovered yet another benefit of your daily drink—and this one...
Fiery Spice Cools Painful IBD Inflammation
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) involves chronic inflammation of the digestive tract that causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and fatigue. The two most common forms of IBD are Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s can cause inflammation anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulceration in the large intestine...
Ditch the Coffee Dehydration Myth and Enjoy Java Again
I can’t imagine starting my day without a delicious steaming cup of hot coffee. If you’re also a coffee fan, I bet you’ve been treated to well-meaning warnings by the non-Java drinkers… “Coffee is so dehydrating!” “It’s basically stealing water from your body!” “You need to drink extra water to make up for it!” Even...
Research Reveals Loneliness is “Poisoning” Your Blood
We humans are social creatures. We thrive on connection, communication, and shared experiences—which help shape our identities and foster a sense of belonging. Yet, loneliness and social isolation are alarmingly common in an increasingly digital and fast-paced world. The World Health Organization (WHO) says about 25 percent of older people experience social isolation. But new...
Mailbag: Ease Invisible Pain and Fatigue NATURALLY
“Why isn’t there more research on fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome? It’s mainly a woman’s condition and too many health professionals tell us “It’s all in your head,” or words to that effect.” —Fatigued and Fuming Hi Fuming, Your frustration over the lack of research and dismissive attitudes when it comes to fibromyalgia and...
Junk Food DOUBLES Risk of Embarrassing Leaks
Ladies, if you need another reason to think twice before hitting the drive-thru, I have one for you. A new study found that a fast-food habit can contribute to a problem most women would rather not talk about—urinary incontinence. That’s right, those embarrassing “oops” moments when you laugh, cough, or exercise could be directly linked...