Differential Diagnosis for Brown Stained Urine
- Single Most Likely Diagnosis
- Dehydration: This is the most common cause of brown stained urine, as concentrated urine can take on a darker color due to the presence of urobilin and other pigments.
- Other Likely Diagnoses
- Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): A UTI can cause urine to appear cloudy, dark, or brown due to the presence of blood, pus, or bacteria.
- Kidney Stones: Kidney stones can cause blood to appear in the urine, which may give it a brown or tea-colored appearance.
- Hematuria: Blood in the urine can cause it to appear brown, and this can be due to a variety of causes, including kidney or bladder stones, infections, or trauma.
- Do Not Miss Diagnoses
- Rhabdomyolysis: This is a serious condition where muscle tissue breaks down and releases myoglobin into the bloodstream, which can cause urine to appear brown or tea-colored. If missed, it can lead to severe kidney damage.
- Porphyria: This is a group of rare genetic disorders that can cause urine to appear brown or purple due to the accumulation of porphyrins. If left untreated, it can lead to severe neurological and abdominal symptoms.
- Rare Diagnoses
- Alkaptonuria: This is a rare genetic disorder that affects the breakdown of certain amino acids, leading to the accumulation of homogentisic acid in the urine, which can cause it to appear brown or black.
- Melanuria: This is a rare condition where melanin is present in the urine, giving it a brown or black color. It can be caused by certain medications or medical conditions, such as melanoma.