Urine Analysis Biomarker
Collection Type: Urine
Related System: Urine Analysis
Urobilinogen is a colorless byproduct formed in the intestine when gut bacteria reduce bilirubin (the breakdown product of hemoglobin). A small amount is reabsorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in urine; the urine urobilinogen test measures this excreted fraction. Elevated urine urobilinogen can point to increased hemolysis or impaired hepatic processing (hepatitis, cirrhosis); low or absent urobilinogen suggests obstruction of bile flow (cholestasis) or altered gut flora. Tests are often ordered when patients have jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, fatigue, abdominal pain or unexplained anemia. Values vary with age (newborns commonly have higher values), recent antibiotics (which alter gut flora), hydration status and severe illness; gender has minimal effect.
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Symptom Checker0.1-1.0 mg/dL OR 1.7-17.1 μmol/L
Q: What does urobilinogen in urine indicate?
A: Urobilinogen in urine reflects bilirubin breakdown by gut bacteria and indicates liver and red‑blood‑cell turnover. Small amounts are normal. Elevated urinary urobilinogen suggests increased hemolysis or hepatocellular dysfunction (e.g., hepatitis, cirrhosis). Low or absent urobilinogen suggests bile‑duct obstruction preventing intestinal formation. Abnormal levels warrant further evaluation for liver disease or hemolytic conditions.
Q: Is 2.0 urobilinogen urine bad?
A: A urine urobilinogen of 2.0 (slightly above typical reference) is mildly elevated. It can occur with increased red blood cell breakdown, liver dysfunction (hepatitis, cirrhosis), or transient causes like fasting or certain medications. It’s not an emergency by itself but warrants repeat testing and correlation with symptoms, LFTs, bilirubin, and a clinician’s assessment to determine cause and need for treatment.
Q: How do you fix urobilinogen in urine?
A: If urine urobilinogen is abnormal, see a clinician for evaluation. They'll order liver function tests, a CBC and viral hepatitis screen, and possibly abdominal imaging to identify hemolysis, liver disease or biliary obstruction. Treatment targets the underlying cause (treat hemolysis, manage hepatitis/cirrhosis, stop hepatotoxic drugs, avoid alcohol). Stay hydrated, repeat testing, and seek urgent care for jaundice, severe pain or confusion.
Q: Can dehydration cause urobilinogen in urine?
A: Dehydration concentrates urine and can raise the measured urobilinogen level, but it doesn’t create urobilinogen. Small amounts are normally present. Significant or persistent elevation usually reflects increased bilirubin breakdown (hemolysis) or liver dysfunction; low/absent urobilinogen suggests biliary obstruction. Abnormal results warrant evaluation of liver tests and hemolysis rather than attributing changes solely to dehydration.
Q: Can infection cause high urobilinogen?
A: Yes. Certain infections such as viral hepatitis, liver abscesses, malaria and other hemolytic infections or severe systemic infections that damage the liver can raise urinary urobilinogen by increasing bilirubin breakdown or impairing conjugation. In contrast, bile duct obstruction lowers urobilinogen. Elevated urobilinogen should be interpreted with liver function tests and clinical context; further evaluation is often needed.
Q: What can cause bilirubin in urine?
A: Bilirubin in urine usually reflects conjugated (direct) bilirubin in the blood from impaired bile flow. Common causes include liver cell injury (acute or chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis), biliary obstruction (gallstones, strictures, tumors), drug‑induced or pregnancy‑related cholestasis, and neonatal biliary atresia. Hemolytic jaundice generally does not cause bilirubinuria because unconjugated bilirubin is not water‑soluble.