"Dark Reddish Urine" in Woman in Her 30s Signals Emergency... Jaundice Symptoms Also Present

According to The Financial News, if your urine appears dark reddish immediately after waking up in the morning, it may be an early warning sign of a serious illness. In fact, a woman in her 30s who suffered from anemia and fatigue for three weeks sought medical attention after noticing cola-colored urine and was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder.
Medical staff at the Northeast Portugal Regional Health Authority recently reported the case of a 39-year-old woman with these symptoms. She experienced persistent anemia and fatigue for three weeks, observed cola-colored urine every morning, and also developed symptoms of jaundice.
A detailed blood test revealed that the woman had Paroxysmal Nocturnal Hemoglobinuria (PNH). This condition is characterized by hemolysis, where hemoglobin escapes from red blood cells, leading to dark-colored urine at night. Due to abnormalities in hematopoietic stem cells, the protective membrane of red blood cells is not properly formed, resulting in hemolysis. If left untreated, the risk of blood clots increases significantly.
Doctors administered eculizumab and anticoagulant therapy to prevent red blood cell destruction and blood clot formation. After treatment, the woman’s urine color returned to normal. The medical team explained, "Hemolysis worsens during sleep due to changes in the body's environment."
The main early symptoms of PNH include fatigue, jaundice, and an enlarged liver. Severe hemolysis can cause blood clots in the vessels, leading to life-threatening complications such as acute renal failure. Experts advise that anyone experiencing suspicious symptoms should seek an accurate diagnosis immediately.

This case was published in the medical journal Cureus.


hsg@fnnews.com Han Seung-gon Reporter