What causes green urine (urine discoloration)?

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Differential Diagnosis for Nước Tiêu Màu Xanh Lá Cây (Green Urine)

  • Single Most Likely Diagnosis
    • Medication effect (e.g., methylene blue, indigo carmine, or certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin): Certain medications are known to cause a change in urine color, including turning it green, due to their chemical properties and how they are metabolized and excreted by the body.
  • Other Likely Diagnoses
    • Food or dye ingestion: Consuming foods or substances with strong dyes (like green food coloring) can temporarily change the color of urine.
    • Urinary tract infection (UTI) with specific bacteria: Although less common, certain bacteria can produce pigments that alter urine color.
  • Do Not Miss Diagnoses
    • Porphyria: A group of disorders that can lead to the accumulation of porphyrins, which may cause urine to turn a variety of colors, including green, upon exposure to sunlight.
    • Liver disease: Certain liver conditions can affect the metabolism of bilirubin and other substances, potentially leading to changes in urine color.
  • Rare Diagnoses
    • Melanogenuria: A rare condition where melanin is present in the urine, potentially causing color changes.
    • Alkaptonuria: A genetic disorder affecting the metabolism of tyrosine and phenylalanine, leading to the accumulation of homogentisic acid, which can cause urine to darken upon standing but is less likely to cause a green color directly.
    • Pseudomonas infection: Pseudomonas aeruginosa can produce pigments like pyocyanin, which gives a blue-green color, but this is more commonly associated with infections in cystic fibrosis patients or in certain types of wounds rather than a direct cause of green urine.

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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