Serious Warning Signs Of Thalassemia

Dark Urine

Dark urine that appears to be a tea or dark mustard color can be a symptom of thalassemia. Due to the lack of hemoglobin production, the red blood cells of an affected individual do not live as long as they should. This malfunction results in a high red blood cell turnover that produces byproducts during the cell breakdown process. The hemoglobin in dead red blood cells is converted into bilirubin, taken to the liver for augmentation, and then secreted in the small intestine for use in digestion. Most of it is eliminated through the feces while the remainder is re-used. However, when red blood cells die quickly and more frequently, too much bilirubin is produced. Excess bilirubin overwhelms the liver, gallbladder, and it spills into the blood. The blood with high bilirubin content is then filtered by the patient's kidneys where it is absorbed. The absorbed bilirubin combines with other components that make up the urine, and it is sent into the bladder for excretion. The potent yellow-brown pigment of bilirubin will make the patient's urine have mustard yellow or tea-like coloring to it.