Several things can cause your urine to appear oily, from certain vitamins to underlying conditions that need treatment. If you have diabetes and notice oily urine, contact a healthcare professional.

Some health conditions can cause changes to your urine, including making it look oily. For example, you might notice what look like drops of oil floating on top of the toilet water after urinating.

Keep reading to learn about the different causes and when you should follow up with your doctor.

Chyluria is a condition in which lymphatic fluid from the intestines leaks into your kidneys. In addition to an oily appearance, your urine may also appear milky white. This is due to the presence of fat in lymph fluid.

Other symptoms of chyluria can include blood in your urine and painful urination.

This condition is caused by an underlying condition, such as:

If your urine is oily and whitish, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor. They’ll likely perform a urine test and take an X-ray, MRI scan, or CT scan of your kidneys to figure out what’s causing it and come up with a treatment plan.

When a person experiences ketosis, they’ll have ketones in their urine. Ketosis occurs when your body begins to burn fat instead of glucose for energy.

Having a high ketone level in your urine can make it look oily. You might also notice that your breath smells different. Some people report a fruity smell.

Your doctor can determine whether you’re in ketosis through a simple urine test. Keep in mind that ketosis isn’t necessarily a health problem; some people intentionally put their bodies into ketosis when following the popular ketogenic diet.

It is important to note that you should always consult with your doctor before making any major dietary changes, such as intentionally putting your body into ketosis.

However, it can lead to complications for some people, especially those with diabetes. If you have diabetes, ketosis may be a precursor to ketoacidosis, a serious condition that requires immediate treatment. Contact your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms in addition to oily urine:

When your body loses more fluid than you can replace, you become dehydrated. With less water moving through your body, your urine becomes more concentrated. This can make other substances in your urine, such as fats, more visible.

In addition to oily urine, you might also have:

  • dark, concentrated urine
  • lethargy
  • thirst
  • dizzy spells
  • heart palpitations
  • dry mouth
  • urinating less often
  • confusion

Many things can cause dehydration, from not drinking enough water to underlying conditions that cause diarrhea or vomiting. Some conditions, such as strep throat, also make it hard to swallow fluids.

If you’re symptoms don’t improve after drinking water, seek medical attention. You may need intravenous (IV) fluids to help your body rehydrate.

There are a few scenarios during pregnancy that can cause changes to your urine. If you’re experiencing severe morning sickness with excessive vomiting, you may become dehydrated. The high concentration of your urine could cause a difference in its consistency or appearance.

Ketones in urine during pregnancy can also be a sign of gestational diabetes. In addition, if morning sickness prevents you from eating enough, you may experience ketosis.

While oily urine during pregnancy isn’t always cause for concern, it’s best to call your doctor to be sure.

Water-soluble vitamins, such as B-complex vitamins and vitamin C, are those that aren’t stored in body tissues (like fat-soluble vitamins).

If you consume more water-soluble vitamins than your body needs in a day, the extras are expelled in your urine.

These extra vitamins can affect both the color and overall appearance of your urine. If you take water-soluble vitamins, try not taking them for a few days to see if your urine’s appearance changes.

When to seek immediate medical attention

Some conditions that cause oily urine can indicate a medical emergency. Contact your doctor or go to the emergency room immediately if you experience the following severe symptoms:

  • painful urination
  • blood in the urine
  • high fever
  • severe headache
  • ongoing nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
  • lethargy and extreme sleepiness
  • abdominal pain
  • extreme thirst or dry mouth
  • dark, concentrated urine
  • dizzy spells
  • urinating less often
  • confusion

If you notice that your urine looks oily, it’s best to make an appointment with your doctor. While it could be a harmless sign, like taking too many vitamins, it can also signal an underlying condition that needs treatment.

This is especially important if you have diabetes, as oily urine can be a symptom of a serious complication.