Myoglobin - Urine

Myoglobin in urine (myoglobinuria) usually indicates muscle breakdown—rhabdomyolysis—from causes such as trauma, intense exercise, seizures, drugs/toxins, or ischemia. It often produces dark, tea‑colored urine and can cause electrolyte imbalances and acute kidney injury. Urgent medical evaluation with blood tests (CK, electrolytes), urine myoglobin, and prompt treatment (IV fluids, address the cause) is needed to prevent renal damage.

Myoglobin in urine (myoglobinuria) typically turns urine dark brown, tea‑colored, or cola‑colored — often described as reddish‑brown. It can produce a positive blood result on dipstick without visible red blood cells. This change suggests muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis) and risks acute kidney injury; seek urgent medical evaluation and testing if you notice persistently dark urine after trauma, heavy exercise, or muscle pain.

High myoglobin usually signals muscle breakdown—due to trauma, strenuous exercise, heart attack, or rhabdomyolysis. It can cause dark urine and risks acute kidney injury from myoglobinuria. Prompt medical evaluation (blood tests, ECG, kidney function, urine) is needed. Treatment targets the cause and may include IV fluids, electrolyte management, and sometimes dialysis. Early care reduces complications.

Myoglobinuria (dark urine from muscle breakdown) requires immediate medical care. Treatment focuses on aggressive IV fluids to maintain urine output, correcting electrolytes (especially hyperkalemia), monitoring creatine kinase and kidney function, and treating the underlying cause. Providers may use urine alkalinization, diuretics, or dialysis if acute kidney injury occurs. Avoid nephrotoxic drugs and follow close hospital monitoring.

Yes. When large amounts of myoglobin are released into the bloodstream after severe muscle injury (rhabdomyolysis), they can precipitate in renal tubules, cause direct tubular toxicity and renal vasoconstriction, and lead to acute kidney injury. Risk rises with dehydration, acidosis, and high muscle breakdown. Early management—aggressive IV fluids, urine alkalinization, monitoring, and dialysis if needed—reduces kidney damage.

Myoglobin is involved in conditions causing muscle breakdown or cardiac injury: rhabdomyolysis (trauma, exertion, statins, toxins), myocardial infarction, crush injuries, inflammatory myopathies (polymyositis, dermatomyositis), and muscular dystrophies. Free myoglobin can cause myoglobinuria and acute kidney injury (acute tubular necrosis). It is also seen in compartment syndrome and drug- or toxin-induced myopathies.