What Causes Dark Urine?
Dark urine can be a sign of a medical condition, such as a vitamin deficiency. Vitamin deficiencies that can lead to dark urine include deficiencies in B vitamins, such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folic acid (B9), and cobalamin (B12). Other vitamins that can lead to dark urine are vitamin A and vitamin D.
Thiamine (B1) Deficiency
Thiamine (B1) deficiency is also known as beriberi and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of beriberi include fatigue, confusion, loss of appetite, shortness of breath, and an irregular heart rate. Beriberi can be caused by an inadequate intake of thiamine in the diet or by increased levels of thiamine use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for beriberi includes increasing thiamine intake with dietary changes or thiamine supplementation.
Riboflavin (B2) Deficiency
Riboflavin (B2) deficiency is also known as ariboflavinosis and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of ariboflavinosis include cracks or sores at the corners of the mouth, inflammation of the tongue, light sensitivity, and eye irritation. Ariboflavinosis can be caused by an inadequate intake of riboflavin in the diet or by increased levels of riboflavin use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for ariboflavinosis includes increasing riboflavin intake with dietary changes or riboflavin supplementation.
Niacin (B3) Deficiency
Niacin (B3) deficiency is also known as pellagra and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of pellagra include fatigue, skin rash, and gastrointestinal problems. Pellagra can be caused by an inadequate intake of niacin in the diet or by increased levels of niacin use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for pellagra includes increasing niacin intake with dietary changes or niacin supplementation.
Pantothenic Acid (B5) Deficiency
Pantothenic acid (B5) deficiency is also known as pantothenic aciduria and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of pantothenic aciduria include fatigue, muscle cramps, and gastrointestinal problems. Pantothenic aciduria can be caused by an inadequate intake of pantothenic acid in the diet or by increased levels of pantothenic acid use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for pantothenic aciduria includes increasing pantothenic acid intake with dietary changes or pantothenic acid supplementation.
Pyridoxine (B6) Deficiency
Pyridoxine (B6) deficiency is also known as pyridoxine deficiency anemia and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of pyridoxine deficiency anemia include fatigue, anemia, and an increased risk of infection. Pyridoxine deficiency anemia can be caused by an inadequate intake of pyridoxine in the diet or by increased levels of pyridoxine use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for pyridoxine deficiency anemia includes increasing pyridoxine intake with dietary changes or pyridoxine supplementation.
Biotin (B7) Deficiency
Biotin (B7) deficiency is also known as biotinidase deficiency and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of biotinidase deficiency include fatigue, muscle cramps, and seizures. Biotinidase deficiency can be caused by an inadequate intake of biotin in the diet or by increased levels of biotin use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for biotinidase deficiency includes increasing biotin intake with dietary changes or biotin supplementation.
Folic Acid (B9) Deficiency
Folic acid (B9) deficiency is also known as folate deficiency anemia and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of folate deficiency anemia include fatigue, anemia, and an increased risk of infection. Folate deficiency anemia can be caused by an inadequate intake of folic acid in the diet or by increased levels of folic acid use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for folate deficiency anemia includes increasing folic acid intake with dietary changes or folic acid supplementation.
Cobalamin (B12) Deficiency
Cobalamin (B12) deficiency is also known as pernicious anemia and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of pernicious anemia include fatigue, anemia, and an increased risk of infection. Pernicious anemia can be caused by an inadequate intake of cobalamin in the diet or by increased levels of cobalamin use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for pernicious anemia includes increasing cobalamin intake with dietary changes or cobalamin supplementation.
Vitamin A Deficiency
Vitamin A deficiency is also known as xerophthalmia and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of xerophthalmia include night blindness, dry eyes, and corneal ulcers. Xerophthalmia can be caused by an inadequate intake of vitamin A in the diet or by increased levels of vitamin A use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for xerophthalmia includes increasing vitamin A intake with dietary changes or vitamin A supplementation.
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D deficiency is also known as rickets and can cause dark urine. Symptoms of rickets include delayed growth, muscle weakness, bone pain, and an increased risk of fractures. Rickets can be caused by an inadequate intake of vitamin D in the diet or by increased levels of vitamin D use, such as during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or after surgery. Treatment for rickets includes increasing vitamin D intake with dietary changes or vitamin D supplementation.