A change in urine color can be concerning.
Sometimes, dark urine is a symptom of simple dietary changes or medication side effects.
However, in some cases, dark urine can also indicate a more significant health condition.
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Causes of Symptoms
The kidneys are responsible for producing urine.
When you eat or drink, fluids pass through the digestive and circulatory systems into the kidneys.
One of the most common causes of dark urine is dehydration from drinking an inadequate amount of fluids.
Causes of dark urine symptoms may include:
What Medications Can Cause Dark Urine?
How to Treat Dark Urine
Treatment of dark urine is determined by its cause.
Always communicate with your provider if you are experiencing dark or unusual-colored urine.
Are There Tests to Diagnose the Cause of Dark Urine?
A urinalysis is a simple urine test that examines a small sample of your urine.
This test is noninvasive and requires that you provide urine in a clear container for analysis.
Based on the results of a urinalysis, your provider may want to perform other diagnostic tests.
Summary
Dark urine may be a symptom of simple dietary changes or medication side effects.
However, it can also be a symptom of a larger health condition.
One of the most common causes of dark urine is dehydration.
However, many other diseases, infections, foods, and medications can cause dark urine.
A urinalysis is a simple urine test that can help determine the cause of dark urine symptoms.
This test is noninvasive and requires a small amount of urine for analysis.
A Word From Verywell
Dark urine symptoms can be concerning.
But the good news is that a visit with your healthcare provider can help determine the cause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Normal urine color is a light yellow to amber color.
Dark urine may indicate dehydration or another more serious underlying medication condition.
See your healthcare provider for additional testing for any new or prolonged symptoms of dark urine.
Diagnosis is impossible without additional diagnostic testing and a visit with your healthcare provider.
High glucose levels fromdiabetescan damage the blood vessels in the kidneys over time.
This puts more strain on the kidneys to filter blood and can eventually causekidney disease.
A symptom of diabetes and kidney disease may be bloody or very dark urine.
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