Did you know that the color of your urine can share information about your overall health? It often means that you’re properly hydrated, but in some cases, it can also be an indicator of underlying conditions. Seeing consistently clear urine, for example, can indicate various conditions and is information that should be shared with a doctor. Learn more about what clear urine can mean.*

What complications can clear urine indicate?

If you’ve been drinking plenty of liquids, you may notice your urine is clear. Aside from proper hydration, why else can your urine be transparent? The following are potential complications that clear urine can indicate.

• Hyponatremia: If someone drinks excessive amounts of liquid, they can dilute their blood and lower essential salt and electrolyte levels. While it’s very rare, hyponatremia, or abnormally low sodium in the blood, can occur and can lead to brain swelling from the lack of salt in the body.
• Diabetes: This condition occurs when a person is unable to properly manage their blood sugar levels. People with diabetes often experience excessive thirst and feel an urge to urinate frequently. The body is working hard to rid the excess blood sugar through excessive urination, leading to clear urine. Diabetes treatment is critical as symptoms can be life-threatening.
• Diabetes insipidus: Diabetes insipidus is a rare condition that occurs when the kidneys produce too much urine. As opposed to a healthy person who passes one to two quarts of urine per day, a person with diabetes insipidus passes anywhere from three to 20 quarts of urine a day. People with this condition don’t have blood sugar issues; rather, their kidneys are unable to balance fluids properly. It also makes people feel very thirsty, even if they have had plenty of liquids to replace lost liquids through excessive urination.
• Kidney problems: Clear urination can occur with kidney problems. Painful urination and fever may also accompany clear urine. Renal conditions, like Bartter syndrome or potassium wasting, can also cause frequent urination, and if one drinks liquids to compensate for this fluid loss, urine will become clear.
• Diuretics: People who take diuretics, such as for treating high blood pressure, experience excessive urination.
• Pregnancy: In some cases, pregnant women may suffer from gestational diabetes. This includes mild, yet increased, thirst and more frequent urination. This form of diabetes requires treatment and typically resolves after childbirth.

When should I see a doctor?

In most cases, clear urine is a sign of good health and hydration. When it’s consistent and coupled with excessive thirst and urination or other unwanted symptoms, like painful urination, you should consult with your doctor. Other colors of urine, such as red, black, or white, can also indicate underlying health conditions and require urgent medical attention.

*Fletcher, J. (2019, Oct. 21). Everything you need to know about clear urine. Medical News Today. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326740