Why yellow urine should not scare you - Doctor

Are you among those who rush to get malaria pills whenever your urine turns yellow?

This information is for you.

Dr Emem Jay, a gynaecologist and obstetrician at M and M Fertility Centre, Abuja, says pale yellow urine is a normal physiological indicator of adequate hydration.

Jay made the clarification in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Abuja.

According to him, pale yellow urine is normal, contrary to widespread public claims that healthy urine must always be completely clear.

The gynaecologist explained that urine colour was largely influenced by urochrome, a natural pigment produced during the body’s normal breakdown of haemoglobin.

He noted that an individual’s hydration status directly affected the pigment’s concentration and, consequently, the visual intensity of the yellow colour.

“Urine may normally range from colourless to pale yellow, depending on fluid intake and other physiological factors,” he said.

Jay advised members of the public to focus on maintaining balanced daily fluid intake rather than obsessing over completely clear urine, which can sometimes indicate overhydration.

Jay cautioned against deliberately consuming excessive water to maintain completely transparent urine.

He said persistently colourless urine could sometimes be associated with excessive fluid intake or increased urine production.

“Excessive water consumption could, in some circumstances, lower the concentration of sodium in the blood, resulting in dilutional hyponatraemia, a potentially serious condition,” he said.

He also explained that bubbles in urine did not automatically indicate kidney disease or dehydration.

“Transient bubbles are usually related to the speed and force of the urine stream hitting the toilet water,” he said.

Jay, however, said persistent or heavy foaming could warrant medical assessment for proteinuria, particularly albuminuria.

He said appropriate tests could include urinalysis or a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR).

The medical expert advised people to pay attention to their thirst and overall symptoms rather than trying to maintain a specific urine colour.

He said research had examined the relationship between hydration status and urine colour, including a study published in Frontiers in Nutrition.

“The study assessed urine colour objectively and demonstrated changes associated with hydration levels,” he said.

Jay urged the public to distinguish between normal variations in urine colour and persistent changes that might require medical attention.