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Mr Z, a 27-year-old office administrator, presents to his GP with a history of passing orange urine. Read the full case here.
Although orange urine might be distressing, the explanation is simple. A change in the colour of urine is usually due to medicines or food. Often patients who eat a lot of beetroot think they have blood in their urine.
The same applies to medicines. A TB drug, rifampicin, changes the colour of urine to a striking orange. Patients who are not aware of this side effects may be alarmed. Based on the case history of Mr Z, this might be the case. The presence of his constitutional symptoms (coughing, night sweats and weight loss) suggest that the doctor started him on TB treatment.
Read: Breakthrough: scientists trace the origins of extreme drug-resistant TB
Mr Z should not be worried by the bright orange colour of his urine as it is most likely caused by the medication he is taking.
Dark brown urine may indicate poor fluid intake, and the subsequent concentrated urine often appears dark. Vitamin tablets can also change the colour of urine to a bright yellow or orange. However, red urine may indicate blood in the urine and should be investigated.
NOTE: Health24's on-site GP Dr Owen Wiese reveals new cases on Thursdays. The answer is posted with the story on Mondays, or you can get it in our Daily Tip – sign up here.
Previously on What's Your Diagnosis?
What's your diagnosis? - Case 1: vomiting and weight loss
What's your diagnosis? - Case 2: eye pain
What's your diagnosis? - Case 3: strange behaviour and a bullet in the back
What's your diagnosis? - Case 4: seeing odd things
What's your diagnosis? - Case 5: mysterious lungs
What's your diagnosis? - Case 6: runner with seizures
What's your diagnosis? - Case 7: swollen knee
What's your diagnosis? - Case 8: bloody semen
What's your diagnosis? - Case 9: confusing neurological signs
What's your diagnosis? - Case 10: diabetic teenager with unusual signs and symptoms
What's your diagnosis? - Case 11: bruising with no apparent reason
What's your diagnosis? - Case 12: severe tummy pain
What's your diagnosis? - Case 13: severe sore throat
What's your diagnosis? - Case 14: abdominal pain and swelling
What's your diagnosis? - Case 15: the world is spinning
What's your diagnosis? - Case 16: numbness in forearm
What's your diagnosis? - Case 17: burning urine
What's your diagnosis? - Case 18: boy with persistent fever
What's your diagnosis? – Case 19: lady who can't lose weight
What's your diagnosis? – Case 20: chest pain next to breastbone
What's your diagnosis? – Case 21: burning sensation in vagina
What's your diagnosis? – Case 22: vomiting and headaches
What's your diagnosis? – Case 23: frequent urination
What's your diagnosis? – Case 24: painful and swollen leg
What's your diagnosis? – Case 25: swollen knee and fever
What's your diagnosis? – Case 26: swelling of face
What's your diagnosis? – Case 27: sudden severe leg pain
What's your diagnosis? – Case 28: painful ear
What's your diagnosis? – Case 29: tired and drained
