# Yellow Urine in healthy non medicated male **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 19, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660 "2020-01-19T13:26:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nansbread1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Nansbread1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nansbread1)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/1 "2020-01-19T13:26:20Z")
From memory, during childhood I recall having passed dark yellow urine when suffering from fever etc. Now as an adult if passing light yellowish urine, regularly, would it indicate Poor kidney function Poor hydration or Excellent kidney function to remove undesirables from the blood. ---
**Author:** ![GreenWyvern](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greenwyvern/32/2834_2.png) [@GreenWyvern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenWyvern)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 2:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/2 "2020-01-19T14:05:17Z")
Medications and foods can also affect the color. > **[Why Is My Urine Bright Yellow? Causes and Treatment](https://www.healthline.com/health/bright-yellow-urine)** > > Has your urine color changed from its normal hue? Find out what causes bright-yellow urine, from dietary changes to underlying conditions. Abnormal urine color is usually accompanied with other symptoms such as headaches and unexplained weight loss.... ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 2:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/3 "2020-01-19T14:06:34Z")
> [@](#): > > Everyone has a different “normal” when it comes to the color of urine, but it should fall on the yellow spectrum. > > The amount of water you drink influences whether the color is a pale yellow or a dark amber. People who drink more water and stay hydrated typically produce more diluted, pale urine compared to those who are dehydrated or consume less water. > > If the color of your urine falls outside of this yellow spectrum — like urine that’s cloudy or brown — you should see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if your urine is red, blue, or green. > **[Why Is My Urine Bright Yellow? Causes and Treatment](https://www.healthline.com/health/bright-yellow-urine)** > > Has your urine color changed from its normal hue? Find out what causes bright-yellow urine, from dietary changes to underlying conditions. Abnormal urine color is usually accompanied with other symptoms such as headaches and unexplained weight loss.... ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/4 "2020-01-19T14:31:21Z")
> [@Nansbread1](#): > > From memory, during childhood I recall having passed dark yellow urine when suffering from fever etc. > > Now as an adult if passing light yellowish urine, regularly, would it indicate > > Poor kidney function > > Poor hydration or > > Excellent kidney function to remove undesirables from the blood. Urine is normally pale to light yellow. If it’s darker than that, you’re under-hydrated. If it’s clear, you’re overhydrated. It suggests a medical condition if the urine is a color other than yellow, or has a strange odor, or a strange consistency, or contains any solids or moving objects. ---
**Author:** ![Kropotkin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kropotkin/32/18045_2.png) [@Kropotkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kropotkin)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/5 "2020-01-19T15:30:40Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > It suggests a medical condition if the urine…contains…moving objects. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/6 "2020-01-19T16:23:42Z")
Vitamin B supplements (or multivitamins that contain the B complex, I assume) will turn urine a strong gold color. ---
**Author:** ![Mangosteen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Mangosteen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangosteen)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/7 "2020-01-19T16:41:01Z")
> [@HMS\_Irruncible](#): > > Urine is normally pale to light yellow. If it’s darker than that, you’re under-hydrated. If it’s clear, you’re overhydrated. > > It suggests a medical condition if the urine is a color other than yellow, or has a strange odor, or a strange consistency, or contains any solids or moving objects. Is being “over-hydrated” a medical condition (at least one that you should be concerned about)? If I notice any color at all in my urine, I always go drink a big glass of water. I like to pee clear. (Still another advantage of being male: the ease with which one can check out their urine color.) ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/8 "2020-01-19T16:48:39Z")
Not a doctor, but I wouldn’t worry about over-hydration unless you’re guzzling water within a very short period of time (i.e. something like a gallon in an hour). I am generally never concerned when my urine is light and more concerned when it’s darker. If it’s dark, cloudy, and smelly, that’s a sign that you may have a bacterial infection or some other condition that requires medical attention. As was posted earlier, what you eat can also change the color of urine. The amount of water you’ve lost, any meds you take, and frequency of urination can change the color as well. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/9 "2020-01-19T16:50:13Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Is being “over-hydrated” a medical condition (at least one that you should be concerned about)? If I notice any color at all in my urine, I always go drink a big glass of water. I like to pee clear. (Still another advantage of being male: the ease with which one can check out their urine color.) There’s no advantage to it. You’re making your kidneys work more than they need to in order to filter the excess fluid out of you. Yellow is the normal state. Also, do you think females can’t see their urine as it comes out? ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/10 "2020-01-19T16:51:12Z")
for some people if you eat asparagus your urine will smell really different. It happens to me. ---
**Author:** ![asahi](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/asahi/32/8693_2.png) [@asahi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asahi)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/11 "2020-01-19T16:52:38Z")
> [@Nansbread1](#): > > From memory, during childhood I recall having passed dark yellow urine when suffering from fever etc. > > Now as an adult if passing light yellowish urine, regularly, would it indicate > > Poor kidney function > > Poor hydration or > > Excellent kidney function to remove undesirables from the blood. If you’re concerned about kidney function, you could initially try drinking more fluids (water) and a diet with more vegetables and low salt content. Don’t just look at the color of urine but also the output and frequency. If you’re drinking 2-3 liters of water a day but not producing a lot of urine, you’d definitely at least want to consider getting that checked out. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/12 "2020-01-19T18:02:37Z")
Since this involves medical advice, let’s move it to IMHO. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/13 "2020-01-19T18:06:56Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > There’s no advantage to it. You’re making your kidneys work more than they need to in order to filter the excess fluid out of you. Yellow is the normal state. > > Also, do you think females can’t see their urine as it comes out? I’m trying to imagine the contortions involved in seeing the urine come out when you’re sitting. I’m a woman, and I can’t. But I’ve always heard that the paler the color, the better, since you’re well hydrated. ---
**Author:** ![HMS\_Irruncible](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hms_irruncible/32/7394_2.png) [@HMS\_Irruncible](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HMS_Irruncible)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 6:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/14 "2020-01-19T18:52:01Z")
> [@Mangosteen](#): > > Is being “over-hydrated” a medical condition (at least one that you should be concerned about)? If I notice any color at all in my urine, I always go drink a big glass of water. I like to pee clear. There’s only a risk if you really, really overdo it (medical conditions called hyponatremia and hypokalemia). Like, gallons of water in a 24-hour period. A woman died this way trying to win a contest for a radio station. Otherwise, if you like clear pee and making unnecessary bathroom trips, knock yourself out. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 7:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/15 "2020-01-19T19:15:20Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > [Why Is My Urine Bright Yellow? Causes and Treatment](https://www.healthline.com/health/bright-yellow-urine) What in the name of hell turns pee BLUE? A disease? Some medications or supplements? Impending death? I know what happens to poop after you consume a lot of blue food dye … is there a way for dye to be metabolized into the bladder instead of digestive tract? ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/16 "2020-01-19T19:19:40Z")
> [@purplehorseshoe](#): > > What in the name of hell turns pee BLUE? A disease? Some medications or supplements? Impending death? > > I know what happens to poop after you consume a lot of blue food dye … is there a way for dye to be metabolized into the bladder instead of digestive tract? Some kinds of poisoning, maybe? I read a memoir by a guy who escaped from North Korea, and he wrote about eating all sorts of not-normally-edible plants during the famine, some of which caused their urine to turn blue. ---
**Author:** ![raventhief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raventhief/32/4_2.png) [@raventhief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/raventhief)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 7:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/17 "2020-01-19T19:29:48Z")
Supposedly, King George III was noted to have blue urine, but he had also recently started taking extract of gentian, which may have been responsible. Some believe that it signaled porphyria. > **[King George III, bipolar disorder, porphyria and lessons for historians](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4953321/)** > > In the 1960s, Ida Macalpine and Richard Hunter, mother and son psychiatrists, stated that George III's medical records showed that he suffered from acute porphyria. In spite of well-argued criticisms by Geoffrey Dean and Charles Dent based on their... ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/18 "2020-01-19T19:34:15Z")
Speaking of Korea, MASH had an episode where the docs wanted to take an officer out of action because he lost a of men by being dumb. They gave him a drug that made his urine blue . Don’t recall the drug name. ---
**Author:** ![Nametag](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/nametag/32/406_2.png) [@Nametag](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nametag)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/19 "2020-01-19T19:49:29Z")
I recall the episode where they took out another unit’s “ringer” in a bowling match that way - the dye/drug was methylene blue. I’m not sure that was what they did in the other episode, which sounds like “The General Flipped at Dawn.” ---
**Author:** ![KarlGauss](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karlgauss/32/3713_2.png) [@KarlGauss](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGauss)\ **Post date:** [January 19, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660/20 "2020-01-19T20:06:56Z")
Sometimes the [urine will become much darker](https://image.slideserve.com/1115160/urine-in-obstructive-jaundice-tea-colour-l.jpg), with the color of something like maple syrup. This is common when there is jaundice (high levels of bilirubin in the blood due to liver disease). When this happens in conjunction with a lightening (or even whitening) of the stool, it indicates a blockage in or around the liver. Not really relevant in a thread about urine color changes, but I’ll add that people can actually pass gas in their urine. Basically, they fart through the urethra (the peeing tube). This can happen when there is a fistula (a connection) between the bowel and the urinary system. It’s not all that rare and is surprisingly well-tolerated (physically). A bit more info in [this post](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=316960&p=6169892) if you’re interested. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/yellow-urine-in-healthy-non-medicated-male/846660.md?page=2)