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-urineHow 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 Results
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
Risks
There are no risks.
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
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.
