HomeLab TestsUrobilinogen in Urine
Back to Lab Tests
Urobilinogen in Urine
Reviewed by Medicinsk Expert•Last updated: 2026-10-22•Lab Tests

Urobilinogen in Urine

A urobilinogen in urine test helps evaluate liver function and identify conditions such as liver disease or hemolytic anemia.

What is a urobilinogen in urine test?

A urobilinogen in urine test measures the amount of urobilinogen in your urine. Urobilinogen is derived from bilirubin, a substance produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells. Your liver uses bilirubin to create bile, which aids digestion. Bacteria in your intestines break down this bilirubin into urobilinogen. While some urobilinogen leaves the body in stool, some is recycled back into the liver.

High levels of urobilinogen may indicate:

  • Liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, preventing the liver from recycling urobilinogen.
  • Hemolytic anemia, where the body breaks down red blood cells faster than it can produce them.

Little or no urobilinogen may indicate a blockage preventing bile from flowing into the intestines or other liver, gallbladder, or bile duct issues.

Why do I need a urobilinogen in urine test?

Your provider may order this test as part of a routine checkup or to monitor existing liver conditions. You may also be tested if you exhibit symptoms of liver disease or hemolytic anemia.

Symptoms of liver disease/damage include:

  • Nausea, vomiting, and lack of appetite
  • Fatigue and weakness
  • Jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes)
  • Abdominal pain or swelling
  • Dark-colored urine and/or light-colored stool
  • Frequent itching

Symptoms of hemolytic anemia include:

  • Fatigue, dizziness, and headaches
  • Heart palpitations
  • Problems concentrating
  • Jaundice
  • Abdominal pain due to an enlarged liver or spleen

What happens during a urobilinogen in urine test?

You will need to provide a urine sample. A health care professional may provide a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for the "clean catch" method to ensure the sample is not contaminated by germs from your skin.

Frequently Asked Questions

While diet does not directly alter the chemical production of urobilinogen, certain medications can influence the results. For example, rifampin, a tuberculosis medication, can cause dark urine and potentially affect bilirubin-related markers. Additionally, some antibiotics that alter gut bacteria might theoretically impact the conversion of bilirubin to urobilinogen, though this is less common. It is important to inform your provider of all medications you are taking to help them interpret the results accurately.
Yes, it is completely normal to have a small amount of urobilinogen in your urine. The standard reference range is typically 0 to 2 mg/dL. This occurs because a small fraction of the urobilinogen that is reabsorbed from the intestines into the bloodstream is filtered by the kidneys and excreted. A result within this range indicates that your liver and red blood cell breakdown processes are functioning normally.
blocked bile duct (obstructive jaundice) typically results in little to no urobilinogen in the urine because bile cannot reach the intestines to be converted into urobilinogen by bacteria. In contrast, liver cell damage (hepatocellular jaundice) usually leads to high levels of urobilinogen in the urine because the damaged liver is unable to reprocess and recycle the urobilinogen that is reabsorbed from the gut, causing it to spill over into the bloodstream and be excreted by the kidneys.
If your urobilinogen level is elevated but you do not have symptoms like jaundice, fatigue, or abdominal pain, your provider will likely order additional tests to confirm the cause. These may include a complete blood count (CBC) to check for anemia, liver function tests (LFTs) to assess enzyme levels, or a reticulocyte count to determine if your bone marrow is producing new red blood cells rapidly. Follow-up testing is essential to distinguish between benign variations and early signs of liver disease or hemolytic anemia.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

MedlinePlus brings together authoritative health information from the National Library of Medicine (NLM), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations.

kontakt@hittavard.se

Ⓒ 2024. Alla rättigheter förbehålls av juxt ab

Sök
Om ossVillkor och policyVanliga frågorKontakta oss