Urobilinogen in Urine

Why this test may be ordered

• As part of a routine checkup
• To monitor an existing liver condition
• If you have symptoms of liver disease or hemolytic anemia

Preparation and collection

You don't need any special preparations. If your provider has ordered other urine or blood tests, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test.

You will need to give a urine sample for the test. A health care professional may give you a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions for how to use the "clean catch" method to collect your urine sample.

There is no known risk to having this test.

Understanding results

Normal urine contains some urobilinogen. A urobilinogen in urine test alone cannot diagnose a specific condition.

• Too little or no urobilinogen: If your test results show too little or no urobilinogen in your urine, it may be a sign of: A blockage in the ducts that carry bile from your liver or gallbladder to your intestines, A blockage in the blood flow through the liver, A problem with liver function. Limitation: If your test results aren't normal, it doesn't always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Next step: If your test results aren't normal, your provider may order other tests to help diagnose liver disease or hemolytic anemia.
• Higher than normal urobilinogen: If your test results show a higher-than-normal level of urobilinogen, it may be a sign of: Hepatitis, Cirrhosis, Liver damage due to medicines, Hemolytic anemia. Limitation: Certain medicines and supplements can affect your results, so be sure to let your provider know what you are taking. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to. Next step: If your test results aren't normal, your provider may order other tests to help diagnose liver disease or hemolytic anemia.

• A urobilinogen in urine test alone cannot diagnose a specific condition.
• Certain medicines and supplements can affect your results.
• False positives or negatives may occur due to medications or supplements.
• Menstrual bleeding or bleeding hemorrhoids can contaminate the sample.

What to do next

If your test results aren't normal, your provider may order other tests to help diagnose liver disease or hemolytic anemia. To learn what your results mean, talk with your provider.

• Your health care provider may order this test as part of your routine checkup or to monitor an existing liver condition.
• You may also have this test if you have symptoms of liver disease or hemolytic anemia.
• Liver disease/damage symptoms may include: Nausea and vomiting, Lack of appetite, Fatigue, Weakness, Jaundice (a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow), Swelling and/or pain in your abdomen (belly), Swelling in your ankles and legs, Dark-colored urine (pee) and/or light-colored stool (poop), Frequent itching.
• Hemolytic anemia symptoms may include: Fatigue, Dizziness, Heart palpitations (feeling that your heart is pounding or racing), Headache, Problems concentrating or thinking, Jaundice, Abdominal (belly) pain due to an enlarged liver or spleen.

Evidence source

Source: U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus). Practices and reference ranges may differ in your country.

U.S. National Library of Medicine: Urobilinogen in Urine

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