Health Encyclopedia

Bilirubin - urine

Definition

This test measures the amount of bilirubin in the urine. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid produced by the liver. Large amounts of bilirubin in the body can lead to jaundice.

Alternative Names

Conjugated bilirubin-urine; Direct bilirubin-urine

How the test is performed

For this test, you must urinate into a special bag or container every time you use the bathroom for 24-hour period.

On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you wake up in the morning. Close the container tightly. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
Urinate into the special container every time you use the bathroom for the next 24 hours.
On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning again when you wake up.
Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

For an infant:

Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra (the hole where urine flows out). Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end).

For males, place the entire penis in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin.
For females, place the bag over the two folds of skin on either side of the vagina (labia).

Put a diaper on the baby, over the bag.

The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated. Empty the urine from the bag into the container provided by your doctor.

Because lively infants can cause the bag to move, this procedure may take a couple of attempts. Extra collection bags may be necessary.

When finished, label and return the container as instructed.

How to prepare for the test

Your health care provider may tell you to stop taking any drugs that may interfere with the test.

Drugs than can increase the level of bilirubin include:

Allopurinol
Barbiturates
Birth control pills
Certain antibiotics
Chlorpromazine
Diuretics
Ethoxazene
Phenazopyridine
Steroids
Sulfonamides

Drugs that can cause reduce the level of bilirubin include indomethacin and ascorbic acid.

How the test will feel

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

Why the test is performed

This test may be done to diagnose liver or gallbladder problems.

Normal Values

Bilirubin is not normally found in the urine.

What abnormal results mean

Increased levels of bilirubin in the urine may be due to:

Biliary strictures
Cirrhosis
Gallstones in the biliary tract
Hepatitis with associated biliary obstruction
Surgical trauma affecting the biliary tract
Tumors of the liver or gall bladder

What the risks are

There are no risks.

Special considerations

Bilirubin can breakdown in the presence of light. That's why babies with jaundice are sometimes placed under blue fluorescent lamps. See: Bili lights

Review Date:5/17/2007
Reviewed By:Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Pediatrics and Psychiatry, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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