Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Seek emergency help if you cannot urinate, particularly if you have lower abdominal pain or are passing clots.
Emergency care is also appropriate for abnormal urine color with fainting, confusion, severe weakness, breathing difficulty, or rapidly worsening illness.
And for anyone, someone who:
has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Get same-day medical advice if:
Your urine appears pink, red, or blood-stained without a clear food-related explanation
You have red or brown urine with fever, severe side pain, vomiting, or chills
Dark urine occurs with severe muscle pain, swelling, or weakness
Dark urine occurs with yellow skin or eyes, pale stools, or significant abdominal pain
You are passing blood clots but can still urinate
Visible blood should be assessed promptly, even if it happens once, is painless, or seems to go away.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Arrange a routine appointment if an unexplained color change lasts more than a few days, keeps returning, or comes with ongoing burning, urgency, unusual thirst, frequent urination, or a persistent strong smell.
If a food, vitamin, or medicine clearly explains the change and you otherwise feel well, monitoring may be reasonable.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Urine - abnormal color. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.