Causes Of Urine Color Changes
Color | Cause |
|---|---|
Red, orange, or brown | Bilirubin Hemoglobinuria Foods (eg, beets) Free myoglobin Porphyrins RBCs |
Cloudy white | Infection (pyuria) Lymph (chyluria) due to filariasis or to obstructed retroperitoneal lymphatics Precipitated phosphate crystals |
Green | Pseudomonas infection |
Purple (rare) | Gram-negative bacteria in urinary catheters* |
Dark brown or black | Melanoma† |
† Caused by oxidation of excessive homogentisic acid or melanogen when urine is exposed to air for several hours. | |