If you spot red in the toilet after relieving yourself, you may want to call a doctor.

Red urine could be a sign that there’s blood in your pee, or that you have a urinary tract infection, prostate problems, kidney disease, a tumor, or some other condition. But if you recently ate beets, blueberries, or rhubarb – then it could be totally normal.

The color of your urine can provide a surprising amount of information about your health. On a basic level, it can tell you how hydrated you are, though most people can just rely on thirst as a cue to tell them whether or not they should drink water.

But a number of other health conditions can affect urine color, too.

As our bodies process food and remove toxins from our system, we get rid of minerals and chemicals in our urine. Depending on how concentrated your pee is – which is based on how hydrated you are – it’ll be darker or lighter.

Various medications can turn your pee vivid colors. A number of health conditions will do the same.

Image Credit: Cleveland Clinic, Business Insider

But remember, many changes may be too slight to see simply by inspecting the toilet. That’s why a medical professionals ask you to pee in a cup when you get an exam.

Article have been lightly edited for length/clarity.

Via sciencealert, Preview photo credit: Shutterstock/plenoy m