Urobilinogen

You need to provide

Urine

This test is for

Male, Female

Test Preparation

The urine sample must preferably be the first-morning midstream urine (part of urine that comes after the first and before the last stream). Collect the urine sample in a sealed and sterile screw-capped container provided by our sample collection professional. Ensure that the urethral area (from where the urine is passed) is clean & the container doesn't come in contact with your skin. Women are advised not to give the sample during the menstrual period unless prescribed.

Understanding Urobilinogen

What is Urobilinogen?

The Urobilinogen test measures the levels of urobilinogen in the urine. The test is often conducted as a part of urine routine and microscopy test and helps assess the health of the liver and detect various health issues, such as liver dysfunction, biliary obstruction, and hemolytic anemia.

Urobilinogen is a byproduct of the breakdown of bilirubin. Bilirubin is initially formed in the spleen and then transported to the liver, where it is chemically modified and excreted into bile. Some of the bilirubin is further broken down in the intestines into urobilinogen, which is then partially reabsorbed into the blood and excreted in the urine. Thus, understanding your urobilinogen levels through the Urobilinogen test helps detect and manage a wide range of disorders.

This test helps in assessing liver health and detecting liver diseases such as hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, and cirrhosis. It can also assist in diagnosing conditions where there is an increased breakdown of red blood cells, such as hemolytic anemia. Additionally, the Urobilinogen test helps monitor the progression of known liver conditions.

Your doctor may recommend this test if you have signs or symptoms of liver disease, such as jaundice, abdominal pain, or abnormal liver function test results. Higher than normal levels may indicate liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver damage, or hemolytic diseases where there is increased breakdown of red blood cells. On the contrary, low or absent Urobilinogen levels could suggest bile duct obstruction (cholestasis) or severe liver dysfunction where bilirubin is not adequately converted to urobilinogen.

Fasting is not required for this test. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking certain medications and supplements before the test as they may affect the results. The urine sample should be collected into a sterile container provided by the sample collection professional and women are advised not to give the sample during menstrual period unless prescribed.

Test result ranges are approximate and may differ slightly between labs depending on the methodology and laboratory guidelines. Talk to your doctor about your specific test results. Narrate your complete medical history to help the doctor correlate your clinical and laboratory findings. The results will help them determine your medical condition and formulate your treatment plan.

What is Urobilinogen used for?

The Urobilinogen test is done:

As a part of a urine routine and microscopy test to assess overall health.
If you have symptoms of liver disease such as nausea, dark colored urine, itchiness of skin and jaundice.
To assess the functioning of the liver and diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis, obstructive jaundice, and cirrhosis.
To diagnose conditions where there is an increased breakdown of red blood cells, such as hemolytic anemia.

What does Urobilinogen measure?

The Urobilinogen test measures the amount of urobilinogen present in the urine. Urobilinogen is a substance formed from the breakdown of bilirubin, a by-product of old red blood cells processed by the liver. This test plays a key role in assessing liver function and detecting liver diseases.

Under normal circumstances, the liver converts bilirubin into urobilinogen. Some of this urobilinogen is reabsorbed into the blood, excreted by the kidneys, and then eliminated from the body through urine. However, when liver function is impaired, the amount of urobilinogen in the urine can change. Hence, the Urobilinogen test serves as an important indicator of abnormalities such as liver disease or blockage of the bile ducts.

Interpreting Urobilinogen results

Interpretations

If the test results indicate low concentration of urobilinogen then it means that there is a barrier in the flow of bile from the liver, there is an obstruction in the flow of blood from the liver or there is some issue with functioning of the liver.

Answers to Patient Concerns & Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Urobilinogen

Frequently Asked Questions about Urobilinogen

Q. Why is the urobilinogen test performed?

This test is performed as a part of urine routine examination to assess liver function, diagnose liver and biliary tract disorders, evaluate hemolytic anemia, monitor certain medications, and investigate jaundice.

Q. How should I prepare for the Urobilinogen test?

No specific preparation is needed for a urine urobilinogen test. Unless your healthcare provider instructs otherwise, you can eat, drink, and take your medications.

Q. What does a higher than normal urobilinogen level mean?

Higher than normal levels of urobilinogen in your urine may suggest a liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, or conditions that cause increased destruction of red blood cells. However, additional testing is usually required to confirm these conditions.

Q. What does a lower than normal urobilinogen level mean?

Low levels of urobilinogen in the urine can occur when bile ducts are blocked, preventing bilirubin from reaching the intestines where urobilinogen is formed. This could be due to a gallstone or a tumor. In these cases, most of the bilirubin remains in the body and is excreted in the stool, resulting in light-colored or clay-colored stools.

Q. Is bilirubin and urobilinogen the same?

While both bilirubin and urobilinogen are byproducts of hemoglobin breakdown, bilirubin is primarily excreted in bile and feces, whereas urobilinogen can be excreted in urine after being formed in the intestines.