If your first morning urine changes color, it could be your body's way of "calling for help"! Don't ignore these signals

The first urine in the morning may have more "stories" than you think. It is not only a "barometer" of our body's metabolism, but also hides many health signals. Have you ever paid attention to its color, smell or state? These seemingly ordinary details may be your body's warning to you. From kidney function to metabolic diseases, abnormal changes in morning urine are often the earliest health warnings. Today is World Kidney Day. Let's uncover the secrets of morning urine and see which signals you need to be particularly vigilant!

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

What is morning urine?

Morning urine refers to the first urination after waking up in the morning. Since people usually drink less water at night, morning urine tends to be more concentrated and has a relatively high content of ingredients.

Characteristics of morning urine:

Concentrations of electrolytes, urea, uric acid, and other metabolites are typically higher in morning urine because there is no new water intake during the night to dilute the urine.

Hormones may also be higher in morning urine, especially those related to reproduction, metabolism, and stress response. The higher hormone levels in morning urine are mainly due to the combination of circadian rhythms (such as the early morning peak of cortisol secretion) and nocturnal urine concentration (antidiuretic hormone effect), which significantly increase the concentration of hormones and their metabolites.

Why is morning urine so important?

The first urine in the morning, a physiological phenomenon ignored by most people, is actually one of the most sophisticated biological monitoring systems of the human body.

After a night of metabolism and concentration, the concentration of metabolites in morning urine is significantly higher than that in daytime urine, which can more directly reflect the health of the body. Modern medical research has revealed that morning urine is not only easier to detect trace abnormal components, but also reflects the metabolic trajectory of the body in the past 18 hours, which can be called the human body's own "health test kit". In addition, morning urine can also reflect problems in the urinary system, liver and even endocrine system to a certain extent.

High concentration: Water intake is low at night, and urine components (such as protein and metabolic waste) are easier to detect.

Eliminate interference: Avoid the influence of daytime diet, exercise and other factors on urine composition.

Early warning: Abnormal signs (such as hematuria, foamy urine) may appear earlier in morning urine.

How to read morning urine?

Remember these 4 key indicators

Look at the color → smell the odor → observe the foam → measure the urine volume, these are the 4 key indicators for observing morning urine.

1

color

Morning urine is usually darker in color, and may appear yellow or amber, due to the concentration of urine during the night. If the color is unusually dark or cloudy, precipitated, or red, it may indicate certain health problems.

Image source: e-commerce platform

Normal: Light yellow to amber (the color depth is related to the amount of water consumed).

Abnormal signal:

Dark yellow: possible dehydration or liver problems (elevated bilirubin).

Red/meat washing water color: hematuria (including physiological and pathological hematuria. Physiological hematuria may be due to strenuous exercise, menstrual influence, drug interference, etc., while pathological hematuria may be due to urinary tract infection, stones, and tumors).

Soy sauce color: rhabdomyolysis or hemolytic disease.

Milky white: chyluria (lymphatic duct blockage) or urinary tract infection.

Image source: @阿虎医考學霸笔记

2

odor

Morning urine usually has a strong, slightly ammonia-like smell. If the smell is unusually strong or accompanied by other odors, it may indicate an abnormal urine composition that may be related to impaired kidney or liver function.

Normal: Slight aromatic odor or ammonia odor (similar to the smell of a public toilet), and may have a slight odor after standing.

Abnormal signal:

Smell of rotten apple: beware of diabetic ketoacidosis.

Pungent, rancid odor: possible urinary tract infection or cystitis.

Foul fecal odor: Rare, may indicate a serious problem such as entero-urethral fistula.

3

Foam

Some foam may be produced in the morning urine, but this foam usually dissipates quickly. If the foam persists, it may indicate that the urine contains high levels of protein or other components, which may be related to kidney disease.

Normal: A small amount of foam, which dissipates quickly after standing.

Abnormal signal:

Fine foam that does not dissipate for a long time: abnormal kidney filtration function (may be proteinuria).

Large amounts of foam accompanied by an unpleasant odor: Diabetes or urinary tract infection needs to be ruled out.

4

Urine volume

The amount of morning urine varies from person to person, but is usually relatively small because people usually drink less water at night. If the amount of urine increases or decreases abnormally, it may be related to factors such as water intake, kidney function, and body metabolism.

Normal: 300~500ml (about 1.5~2 disposable paper cups).

Abnormal signal:

Too little (<100ml): dehydration, impaired renal function or urinary tract obstruction.

Too much (>800ml): diabetes, diabetes insipidus or drinking too much water at night.

These situations indicate that your body is sending out red lights!

Persistent dark yellow urine + thirst and fatigue: indicates dehydration or diabetes, or abnormal liver function.

Hematuria + low back pain: possible kidney stones, nephritis or urinary system tumors.

Foamy urine + edema: typical manifestations of kidney disease (such as nephrotic syndrome).

Sudden decrease in urine volume + edema: Be alert to acute kidney injury or progression of chronic kidney disease.

Common causes and solutions for abnormal morning urine:

Home Urine Test Strips Quick Reference Manual

1

What do the test strips detect?

Basic items: urine sugar, occult blood, protein, urine ketone bodies, urine white blood cells

Extended items: pH, urine specific gravity, nitrite

2

Three-step self-assessment method

1. Collect urine: Morning urine is best, collect midstream urine 2 seconds after urination 2. Dip the test paper: Dip it in urine for 1 second, shake off excess liquid 3. Check the results: Urine sugar: yellow → blue-green (abnormal) Occult blood: no pink → color (abnormal) Protein: yellow → blue-green (abnormal) Ketone body: pink → purple-red (abnormal) White blood cells: no purple spots → purple spots (abnormal)

3

Judgment results

Normal: All test strips have no color change (compare with the bottle color card) Abnormal:

1 item changes color → test again the next day

More than 2 discolorations → Bring a photo of the test strip to see a doctor

Precautions

Unexpected symptoms during menstruation/after eating dragon fruit

Results within 1 minute

Color under natural light

Daily tips for kidney protection

· Drink a cup of warm water in the morning: dilute urine and reduce the stimulation of metabolic waste to the kidneys. · Avoid holding urine: holding urine for a long time can easily cause urinary tract infection and pyelonephritis. · Less salt and sugar: high salt increases the burden on the kidneys, and high sugar increases the risk of diabetes. · Regular physical examination: check urine routine + kidney function once a year (especially for patients with hypertension and diabetes).

Copyright images in the gallery. Reprinting and using them may lead to copyright disputes.

Morning urine, as the first physiological reaction after waking up every day, is an important indicator for assessing personal health. It not only reflects the body's water balance, but also indirectly reveals kidney function, metabolic efficiency, and the operation of the endocrine system. By observing the color, odor, clarity, and urine volume of morning urine, we can capture subtle abnormalities that may exist in the body, so as to take timely measures to prevent or manage potential health problems.

Although morning urine is often ignored by us, it contains great health wisdom. Through careful observation, we can better understand our physical condition and lay a solid foundation for health. So, don't rush to flush after the first urination in the morning! Look down and you will be healthier. Forward this "physical self-examination guide" to your family and friends, and learn it together!

Planning and production

Author: Wu Zhigang, deputy chief physician of the Urology Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University

Review丨Xiao Yongshuang Chief Physician of Urology Department, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University

Xue Mingwei, deputy chief physician, Department of Nephrology, Xingtai People's Hospital, Hebei Province

Planning丨Wang Mengru

Editor: Wang Mengru

Proofread by Xu Lailinlin