Clear urine can be a temporary condition due to excessive water intake, or it may be a sign of an underlying health condition. Read on to learn more about what clear, colorless urine means and how to address it.
1. What is clear urine?
In medical terms, clear urine is urine that has no sediment or cloudiness. If urine has no visible yellow pigment, it is considered colorless and clear.
Colorless urine can sometimes be due to excessive water consumption, or it may signal a problem with the kidneys. If urine is always clear or colorless, you should see a doctor.
2. What causes clear urine?
From drinking too much water to underlying medical conditions, there are many causes that can lead to colorless, clear urine. Some of the most common causes include:
2.1 Diabetes
Having diabetes can cause a symptom known as polyuria, or frequent urination. This occurs when a person has an abnormally high blood sugar level. The kidneys will work to excrete the excess sugar along with more water than usual.
Other symptoms of uncontrolled diabetes include weight loss, fatigue, and extreme thirst. If these symptoms are not addressed, you may experience dehydration or a life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis.
2.2 Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes insipidus is a medical condition that causes the body to produce excess urine ranging from 3 to 20 liters per day. Normally, most people only excrete 1 to 2 liters of urine each day.
This condition may require you to drink a lot of water to compensate for the amount of water being expelled. There are four main types of diabetes insipidus:
- Central diabetes insipidus. This type occurs when a person has a history of brain injury and the hormone vasopressin does not function normally.
- Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus. Nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (NDI) occurs when a person’s kidneys do not respond well to the hormone vasopressin.
- Dipsogenic. The dipsogenic type is caused by a defect in the thirst mechanism located in the hypothalamus.
- Pregnancy-related diabetes insipidus. This type occurs during pregnancy when there is damage or injury to the part of the brain that controls thirst.
2.3 Diuretics
Sometimes the use of diuretics, or medications intended to promote urination and lower blood pressure, can result in clear urine. Examples of diuretics include: Furosemide (Lasix); Bumetanide (Bumex).
2.4 High Hydration
While many medical professionals encourage people to stay hydrated, sometimes we may drink too much water. As a result, urine can be very clear.
This is also a concern as too much water can dilute the blood and lower sodium to dangerous levels. In rare instances, very low sodium levels can be fatal.
2.5. Kidney Issues
Problems such as sodium disorders or kidney damage can cause the kidneys to eliminate excess salt, which can also lead to colorless urine.
2.6. Pregnancy
Women may experience a form of diabetes during pregnancy known as gestational diabetes. This can occur when the placenta produces an enzyme that destroys vasopressin, a hormone that can affect urine volume. It can also happen when certain hormones interfere with the function of vasopressin. Most cases of gestational diabetes are mild and will resolve once the woman is no longer pregnant.
3. When should you see a doctor?
An average person typically has a daily urine output of about 1 to 2 liters. However, if you urinate frequently and your urine is clear or colorless and you are urinating more than 3 liters per day, you should see a doctor.
Other symptoms that require a doctor’s attention include: confusion, dehydration, headaches lasting more than a day, vomiting and diarrhea lasting more than two days in adults, and waking up multiple times to urinate at night. If you have a history of urinary tract infections, kidney stones, or other types of kidney injuries, you should also contact your doctor if your urine is clear.
4. Treatment for Clear Urine
The treatment method for colorless, clear urine will depend on the underlying cause. For example, if you are frequently drinking too much water, reducing your water intake may be helpful.
Clear urine associated with diabetes is often treated with oral medications or insulin, a hormone that helps your body use blood sugar more effectively. Insulin helps body tissues move glucose into cells where it is needed and keeps excess sugar out of the blood, where it can cause frequent urination.
Other causes of colorless urine need to be identified and properly treated to avoid kidney complications and blood chemistry issues.
Clear, colorless urine may be a temporary condition due to excessive water intake, or it could be a sign of an underlying health condition. The most important thing is to seek medical attention if you suspect you are dehydrated or if your urine is very clear and dilute. A doctor may perform a series of tests, including blood tests, kidney tests, and urine tests, to determine the underlying cause and recommend a treatment method.
