It can be alarming when you go to the toilet and discover that your wee is not the colour that it usually is. However, not all unusually coloured wee is cause for concern. Here are some indications on whether it's time to get medical health.
Bright orange wee
Bright orange wee can often be caused by people taking vitamin supplements or water soluble vitamins, which can lead to the excess vitamins heading down the loo. Bright orange wee can also be caused by eating a lot of orange food, so if you've been scarfing pumpkin for every meal or snacking on Twisties non-stop, you may also end up with bright orange wee.
If your diet hasn't changed, this could be an indication you need some more water, as dehydrated wee often looks bright orange. It can also indicate kidney issues so you might want to head to the doctor to get the issue investigated.
Blue wee
Blue wee is very unusual, but again can be caused by food dyes if you have just eaten a lot of blue food. Certain medications can also cause your wee to go blue, so if you have just started a new medicine and have a change in wee colour, it can be a good idea to check the information sleeve to see if this is listed as a side effect.
Another medical reason for having blue wee is porphyria, which also causes aches and pains as well as confusion. This is a genetic blood condition and can be treated with quinine or blood therapy, so you should see your doctor if you think this may be occurring.
Red wee
Red or brown wee again can be caused by an excess of food dye. If this is not the case, it can be an indication that there is some blood in the urine or that you have kidney or bladder stones. Red wee can stem from a bladder infection or wound which should be thoroughly investigated by a doctor. Generally, the earlier these issues are diagnosed, the easier it is to get the underlying issue treated quickly.
If your wee is an unusual colour including, but not limited, to the colours above and you are concerned about the change, you should speak to your doctor and get a referral to a urologist. They can investigate the underlying cause of the change of colour and prevent more serious medical issues from occurring.
