What does urobilinogen mean 3 2. Urobilinogen in urine - what does it mean. Deviation of indicators during pregnancy

Content

The analysis showed increased urobilinogen in the urine - what this means and how dangerous it is should be figured out immediately, since the urine of a healthy person contains a tiny amount of traces of this bile pigment. Urobilinoids in urine reflect the effectiveness of the body's systems - a sharply positive reaction during analysis can be an indicator of intestinal diseases, liver pathologies, dysfunction of the bile ducts and urinary system. In a healthy person, this indicator may increase with additional load on the kidneys during the discharge of bioslags into the intestines.

What is urobilinogen in urine

Bile pigments in urine are one of the most important indicators of general analysis. This is a colorless substance that is a derivative of bilirubin. When examining urine, total urobilinogen is detected, but it consists of two components: urobilinogen itself and stercobilinogen. These components differ in their place of origin: the first is synthesized during the oxidation of bilirubin in the gallbladder, the second in the lumen of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of URO in a urine test is not a fact of a pathological process, but a diagnostic examination is necessary.

How is urobilinogen formed?

The chain of formation of bile pigment begins with the blood and continues with the liver, biliary system, and intestines. The process starts the breakdown of red blood cells. The hemoglobin of utilized red blood cells synthesizes indirect bilirubin, which is converted by the liver to form direct bilirubin, which enters the intestine along with bile. Intestinal microflora, acting on the product of red blood cell utilization, forms urobilinogen, which is absorbed by the circulatory system and excreted by the urinary system.

How to determine urobilinogen in urine

It is easy to understand that the level of bile pigment is increased by a change in the color intensity of the urine. Its darkening should always be a reason to do an analysis. The level of urobilinogen in urine is determined by a general analysis of biomaterial in the laboratory; the abbreviation UBG stands for increased level of bile pigment. For the study, it is necessary to provide freshly collected urine - under the influence of sunlight, the pigment turns into another substance, urobilin, which is excreted in the urine. This phenomenon is called urobilinuria.

Norm

In the blood of a healthy person, little bile pigments are released. Even less of them are excreted with urine, since the intestines are an additional mechanism of excretion. The level of urobilinogen in urine does not exceed 5-10 ml/l. The urine of breastfed newborns does not contain traces of bile pigments at all; in older children, the lower limit of normal is 2 ml/l. A deviation from the norm is considered to be both an increase and a decrease to a value less than the lower limit.

Promoted

A bile pigment level above the upper limit of normal (10 ml/l) is considered elevated and requires diagnostics of the functioning of the internal organs that form the environment for the life cycle of the substance. The reason for the high concentration of UBG may be quite simple: insufficient fluid intake. The scheme for correcting deviations depends on the causes of their occurrence; it can be either medicinal or based on compliance with basic nutritional rules. The urobilinogen content can be easily monitored independently by observing changes in the color intensity of urine.

Causes

UBG pigment can be the result of both an unbalanced diet and lack of water, as well as serious hereditary and acquired diseases. If its amount, according to the analysis result, exceeds the upper limit of normal, a doctor’s consultation and a more detailed study are necessary to exclude or confirm the following dangerous disorders in the functioning of organs and systems of the body:

• liver pathologies:
  1. cirrhosis;
  2. chronic hepatitis of various origins;
  3. acute viral hepatitis;
  4. bacterial hepatitis;
  5. toxic hepatitis;
  6. drug-induced hepatitis;
  7. hemolytic jaundice;
• spleen diseases;
• intestinal diseases:
  1. enterocolitis;
  2. disturbance of intestinal microflora;
• alcohol intoxication;
• fractures of large bones accompanied by hemorrhages.

Urobilinogen in urine during pregnancy

A symptom by which it can be determined that the level of UBG in a pregnant woman is elevated is a strong darkening of the urine, sometimes to the color of dark beer. It should be taken into account that toxicosis during pregnancy is accompanied by a decrease in fluid secretion, resulting in an increased concentration of pigment. However, the level of UBG can also increase during an exacerbation of chronic diseases, so if the color of urine changes, you should consult a doctor immediately. The reasons for increased levels of bile pigments may be:

• blood pathology;
• toxic damage to the body;
• liver disease;
• hereditary predisposition.

The child has

Children's age is characterized by a weakly positive result of testing the biomaterial for the content of bile pigments. In children under one year of age, UBG urine analysis may show the absence of urobilinogen, and a value above 2 ml/l indicates a serious disorder or disease. To establish an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to study the characteristics of intrauterine development and the neonatal period. The reasons for increased pigment in children are similar to the reasons for its occurrence in adults:

• cholelithiasis;
• hepatitis;
• cirrhotic liver damage;
• severe colitis;
• hemolytic anemia;
• infectious damage to the body.

Reduced urobilinogen

The reasons for the low concentration of UBG - below 5 ml/l - also lie in the plane of deviations in the functioning of internal organs and systems. The main burden for minor traces of bile pigment is borne by the biliary system. If the urine contains bilirubin, but does not contain urobilinogen, there is a blockage of the bile ducts. If both bilirubin and UBG are absent in the urine, too much fluid may be entering the body. A more serious cause of low urobilinogen is the cessation of normal liver function due to hepatitis A.

Treatment

Actions to eliminate high or low concentrations of urobilinogen depend on the reasons that gave rise to it. When diagnosing diseases of the liver, blood, and gastrointestinal tract, it is necessary to contact specialized doctors and further medical or surgical treatment. Some reasons for the increase in UBG are corrected by following an elementary diet and increasing fluid intake. A change in the color of urine to an intense yellow color is always a signal for diagnosis by examining urine.

Milk-vegetable diet

Dietary regimens help to effectively correct urobilinogen levels. The diet should contain a sufficient amount of plant and dairy foods that promote the favorable development of intestinal microflora, eliminate excess toxins from the intestines, and reduce the load on the liver. Fermented milk products should be fresh, dietary dishes based on crumbly cereals, raw and stewed vegetables and fruits, contain a lot of fiber, vitamins and minerals. The amount of water consumed per day is of great importance.

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Urobilinogen, also known as mesobilirubinogen, is one of the objects examined during a general laboratory urine test. This organic substance belongs to bile pigments and is one of the parameters by which the doctor determines the health status of the hepatobiliary system. If urobilinogen in the urine is increased, then the patient needs a more detailed examination of the liver, digestive tract and kidneys.

Urobilinoids (urobilin bodies) are derivatives of the main bile pigment of the body - bilirubin. The formation of urobilinogen and urobilin occurs during the exchange of bilirubin. The process begins with the breakdown of red blood cells (erythrocytes), whose life cycle is 4 months.

Red blood cells release the protein hemoglobin, which cannot live outside of blood cells. During the breakdown of hemoglobin, heme complex compounds are formed from it, which, in turn, serve as the basis for biliverdin (an intermediate product of protein breakdown), from which bilirubin is formed.

The main bile pigment accumulates in the gallbladder and is then transported through the ducts to the intestines. Enzymes and bacteria of the intestinal microflora process bilirubin, during which urobilin bodies are formed. About 95% of urobilinoids are excreted from the intestines with excrement, and a small part of them enters the bloodstream.

With the blood, urobilinoids are partially returned to the liver, and partially enter the kidneys, where they become an integral part of urine. During the oxidation process, urobilinogen is converted into urobilin, which gives urine its characteristic yellow tint. With healthy processes of formation, transformation and utilization, urobilin and urobilinogen are necessarily present in the urine in minimal quantities. Bilirubin should not be detected in urine a priori.

Assessment of urobilinogen in a general urine test

A general urine test is a laboratory method for determining the chemical composition and physical properties of the biological fluid formed by the renal apparatus. The study is assigned:

• to diagnose possible disorders in the functioning of the body;
• for prevention purposes;
• as a control over the therapy;
• during a routine examination (dispensary examination and medical examination for professional suitability);
• within the framework of the Military Medical Commission (military medical commission for enrollment in the armed forces).

During the study, the qualitative and quantitative composition of urine is analyzed according to several indicators, one of which is urobilinogen. The results of laboratory examination are assessed by comparing the obtained indicators with reference values.

You can visually determine an increased level of urobilins by the color of your urine. The higher the level of bile pigment, the darker the color of the urine.

But without laboratory examination, this method is very questionable, since a change in the appearance of urine can be caused by:

• dietary habits (excessive consumption of asparagus, beets and carrots and other foods that can change the color of urine);
• the use of certain medications and multivitamins.

Increased levels of urobilinogen are observed with dehydration (dehydration of the body), the presence of a hereditary disorder (alkaptonuria), and non-compliance with the rules for preparing and collecting urine. You should not self-diagnose. If the urine has become dark in color, you need to check your suspicions and take a general analysis. A referral for testing can be issued by any local physician.

Reference values ​​in urine in adults

The laboratory measurement of urobilinogen is milligrams per liter (mg/L) or micromoles per liter (µmol/L). To convert milligrams to the SI system, a factor of 1.693 is used. In research forms the substance is designated “URO”. Reference values ​​for urobilinogen in urine in an adult are 10 mg/l or 17 µmol/l.

There are no changes to the standard values ​​for older people. If the concentration of bile pigments is insignificant, “traces of URO” will be recorded in the analysis protocol, which is not outside the norm. The pathology is the complete absence of urobilinoids.

Rapid test for urobilinogen levels

Outside the laboratory, it is impossible to determine the exact amount of urobilin. Special test strips designed for people with chronic liver and kidney diseases help to roughly assess the situation. Upon contact with urine, the indicator strip changes color, depending on the pigment concentration.

To decrypt, use the addition sign (+). A single “plus” means a weakly positive result and corresponds to a light pink tint, (++) - positive, with an orange indicator color, (+++) - sharply positive, with the test coloring red-brown.

The norm of bile pigment is not classified according to gender. Exceptions are periods of change in the hormonal status of women: the perinatal period (the amount of pigment can double), menopause (a slight increase in indicators up to 10 mg/l). A sharply increased pigment indicator indicates the development of diseases. The patient needs additional diagnostics.

Standards and excess of urobilinogen in pregnant women

While carrying a baby, all organs and systems of the expectant mother experience increased stress, since they need to ensure the vital functions of two organisms. During pregnancy, a real hormonal revolution occurs, which significantly affects the stability of homeostasis.

Due to these reasons, the processes of absorption, processing and utilization of nutrients slow down. The indicators of liver enzymes, bile pigments, and protein fractions shift. The stable levels of hormones and glucose are disrupted. A pregnant woman's gastronomic tastes and the body's need for fluid change, which is also reflected in the level of organic and biologically active substances.

During the perinatal period, three planned screenings are provided, during which the woman undergoes an ultrasound examination, a biochemical and clinical blood test, as well as several types of urine tests (including a general one, where the level of urobilinoids is determined). The acceptable upper limit is urobilinogen 34 µmol/l.

A high indicator as a result of the study of bile pigment indicates the development of liver pathologies and diseases of the digestive system. In the case where no abnormalities are detected during screening, but the level of bile pigment exceeds the reference values, the reason is insufficient fluid intake due to intense urination.

Pregnant women need to maintain proper drinking regimen. When a pregnant woman’s body dehydrates, the urine changes color, the content of urobilinogen increases in its composition, and ketone bodies appear - toxic breakdown products

Norms and causes of deviations in children

In children under one year of age, the intestinal microflora is not fully formed. It does not contain the required amount of enzymes and bacteria capable of converting bilirubin and releasing urobilins. Therefore, children's urine contains a minimal amount of them. The result of 2 mg/l (3.4 µmol/l) is normal.

For infants, the complete absence of urobilinogen in urine is not an anomaly. The opposite situation, when the presence of bilirubin and an increased content of urobilinoids is detected in the urine (and an excess of bilirubin in the blood is recorded), can occur in newborns against the background of the development of physiological jaundice.

In 90% of cases the reasons are:

• incompatibility of individual antigenic characteristics of red blood cells (Rh factor or blood group) of the child and mother;
• an excess of fetal hemoglobin in the baby's red blood cells, which are destroyed after the baby is born.

Usually, the levels of biofluids are normalized and the yellowness of the skin disappears by the time of discharge from the maternity hospital. The exception is the pathological breakdown of red blood cells with the development in a child of hemolytic disease of the newborn (HDN), caused by Rh conflict. Provoking factors in this case are abortions and a history of spontaneous termination of pregnancy in a young mother or incorrect transfusion of Rh+ blood to a woman with Rh-.

Common causes of urobilinuria

A high level of urobilinoids, otherwise urobilinuria, indicates excessive activity of hepatocytes (liver cells) in the production of bilirubin and the inability of the body to promptly utilize excess pigment. The causes of the disorders lie in the presence of diseases in the patient, primarily associated with liver damage.

An increase in urobilinogen in the urine is a clinical sign of disease. The exact cause of the abnormal concentration of bile pigment can be determined through additional diagnostics. The patient is prescribed:

• abdominal ultrasound (ultrasound);
• clinical blood test;
• biochemical blood test;
• enzyme-linked immunosorbent test (ELISA).

If necessary, a tomograph examination (MRI, CT) is performed. Treatment is prescribed depending on the diagnosed disease.

Correction of indicators

To normalize liver functions and reduce pathological levels of urobilin, a number of drugs with targeted action are used:

• essential-phospholipid hepatoprotectors (Essliver, Gepagard, Phosphogliv, Eslidin, Enerliv, Phosphonciale, Essentiale Forte N);
• plant-based hepatoprotective agents (Liv-52, Bonjigar, Silimar/Karsil, Diapana, Galstena, Cyrinax);
• hepatoprotectors-lipotropics (Heptral, Hepa-Merz, Betargin);
• Dietary supplements and vitamin complexes for the liver (Tiogamma, Berlition 300, Thiolepta, Lipothioxone, lipoic acid, Thiolipon);
• bile acids of synthetic origin: Ursosan and analogues of the drug.

All medications must be prescribed by a doctor.

Results

Mesobilirubinogen (urobilinogen) is a bile pigment formed through complex biochemical reactions from bilirubin. The urine of a healthy person contains from 5 to 10 mg/l of this substance. Urobilinuria is a condition when pigment levels are significantly increased and is a clinical sign of impaired functioning of the liver or gastrointestinal tract.

Deviations from reference values ​​are allowed in women during the perinatal period, provided there are no chronic diseases of the hepatobiliary and digestive systems. The exact level of urobilinogen in urine can be determined by studying the composition of urine in the laboratory. A rapid test can show an approximate picture of the state of urobilinoids.

A general urine test is an accessible, informative and simple method for identifying possible pathological processes. Timely laboratory diagnostics makes it possible to identify the disease in the initial period and prevent the development of complications. If the doctor has prescribed a urine test, you cannot neglect the study.

Urobilin in urine is a chemical substance formed during the multi-level breakdown of hemoglobin molecules and gives urine a yellowish color.

An analysis of a patient’s urine for bile pigments takes into account the content of urobilin (urochrome), since its critically low or extremely high concentrations may indicate the presence of diseases in the human body.

Often the patient is told that he has urobilinoids in his urine. Below we will decipher and consider what their presence in a urine test means.

Urobilinoids literally means “urobilin-like”. The term “urobilinoids” is rarely used in the medical literature; they are more often called “urobilin bodies”. “Urobilin bodies” is the general name for a wide range of products of bilirubin metabolism - urobilin, mesobilinogen compounds (urobilinogen, stercobilinogen), stercobilin, and so on.

These chemicals are partially excreted in urine and partially in feces. Initially, bilirubin, which is a breakdown product of biliverdin (formed as a result of the breakdown of hemoglobin from red blood cells), is one of the main components of bile in humans and animals.

In this regard, when they talk about bile pigments in human urine, they mean the products of bilirubin metabolism. Bilirubin in urine in its pure form should not be present at all, like other proteins.

A urine test for urobilinogen allows you to identify bile pigments and promptly diagnose the presence of pathological processes in the liver, kidneys, gall bladder, and so on.

The color of urine containing bilirubin metabolic products becomes darker. This happens due to the natural coloring of urine with bile pigments, which are yellow and greenish in color.

The norm of urobilinoids in urine during general tests is rarely determined in numerical value, since their presence is negligible, and a positive reaction to a chemical substance is used to fully determine possible pathologies.

When numerically determined, the concentration of urobilinogen in urine analysis should normally not exceed 10 mg/l and should not be less than 5 mg/l. The normal level of urobilinogen in a child’s urine is 0-2 mg/l. In newborns, this level can be significantly exceeded, which is due to temporary physiological jaundice.

Etiology of increased urochrome levels

The urobilinogen content in the urine of a child under three years of age should normally be the same as that of an adult, and varies from 5 to 10 mg/l.

The concentration of urobilinogen in urine may change with increased stress on the kidneys (use of diuretics, diarrhea, excessive fluid intake, etc.) or with chronic disease (failures in the liver or intestines).

The concentration of the substance in urine can vary either down or up, which, if there is a significant deviation from the norm indicated in the previous section, may indicate pathology (in particular, the liver).

The presence of bile pigments in urine can be caused by natural physiological or pathological processes in the human body.

High levels of urochrome: the most likely pathologies

If urobilinogen in the urine increases, the patient should be prescribed additional highly specialized diagnostics aimed at identifying one of the following diseases/pathological conditions:

• stagnation of bile. It is necessary to conduct an additional urine test for bile pigments and refer the patient for an ultrasound of the abdominal cavity;
• renal failure. Additionally, it is necessary to conduct tests for protein in the urine - with proteinuria, the level of urobilinogen is often increased;
• acute and chronic liver diseases: hepatitis, cirrhosis, benign or malignant tumors, and so on;
• a high level of urobilinogen (bile in the urine) indicates disturbances in the functioning of the stomach/intestines associated with dysbacteriosis.
• a high level of urobilinogen may indicate the development of a pathological condition of the circulatory system (anemia, etc.) associated with excessive destruction of red blood cells.

Low or absent urobilinogen levels

A general urine test allows you to accurately determine the presence or absence of urobilinogen in the urine. The absence of urobilinogen is a reason to refer the patient for highly specialized diagnostics in order to identify one of the following diseases/pathologies:

• cholestasis due to cholelithiasis, associated with blocking of the ducts with stones;
• kidney diseases leading to disruption of the filtration function of this organ of the urinary system. The most commonly diagnosed lesions are renal parenchyma.

Low levels or complete absence of urobilinogen in a child's urine is normal.

Urochrome in urine in a child

Urobilinoids in the child’s urine should be completely absent. If traces of urobilinogen are found in the child’s urine up to 2 mg/l, this is normal, but they may indicate the beginning of the development of physiological jaundice.

Children under 4 months of age are not likely to have urobilinoids in the urine if they are breastfed, since there are no prerequisites for the formation of the corresponding bacteria in the body. The concentration of urobilinoids in children over one year of age is identical to that of an adult.

Normal urobilinogen concentration during pregnancy

The urine of pregnant women contains more bile pigments. Changes during pregnancy are associated with increased load on the kidneys, which is manifested by increased urination due to increased fluid intake.

In this regard, the permissible norm for urochrome concentration during pregnancy is increased to 20 mg/l. Most women experience a more saturated color of urine during this period. Important! Acceptable rich dark yellow color.

But when a brown tint appears, we can talk about the admixture of blood and pus in the urine, which is not the norm, and you should immediately contact your doctor. In this case, the woman’s condition may remain normal.

Diagnosis and treatment of diseases

When a pathology is detected, the patient is first recommended to adjust the diet in order to reduce/increase bile production.

The main therapy should be aimed at eliminating or reducing the negative impact on the body of the disease, which causes a decrease/increase in the concentration of bile pigments. Self-medication is unacceptable. The use of traditional methods is allowed only after consultation with a doctor.

Urobilinogen (uro) is a pigment, a product of bilirubin, which is found in urine in trace amounts. It is formed inside the intestines under the influence of bacteria. Most of the pigment is excreted in the feces, a small part enters the bloodstream, is filtered through the kidneys and enters the urine. Increased urobilinogen in the urine is an indicator of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and urinary system. In order to find out what urobilinogen in the urine means, you need to consult a therapist. The obstetrician-gynecologist may send the pregnant woman for a consultation with a gastroenterologist.

Urobilinogen in urine - what does it mean?

Bilirubin is a substance that is secreted by hepatocytes. It undergoes transformation and oxidation, after which it becomes common urobilinogen. It is divided into:

1. Urobilinogen. Occurs under the influence of bile inside the gallbladder. Together with it, it passes into the intestines. Further into the intravascular fluid, from the blood it passes to the liver. One part again enters the gallbladder, the other part of urobilinogen, which does not enter the bladder, passes to the kidneys. There it passes through the filtration structures and moves into the urine.
2. Stercobilinogen, which turns into stercobilin inside the intestine. One part enters the blood, the other is excreted in the feces.

The function of the pigment is to color urine yellow. It should be light. If your urine turns dark, you should take a general urine test and consult a doctor. Its color can be affected by nutrition and the use of medications.

Important! If even a small level of bilirubin appears in the urine, this means the presence of pathology. Traces of urobilinogen are normal.

If urine sits in daylight for a long time, reactions inside it accelerate. Bilirubin will turn into urobilinogen. The urine test will not be accurate; the laboratory technician will not find the abnormal appearance of bilirubin.

To determine the amount of urobilinogen in urine, a general urine test is performed or special test strips are used. By urinating on them, a person will immediately know the amount of pigment. To determine the pigment using a general urine test, it takes more time and you need to come to the laboratory, but a urine test will reveal other indicators that will help in diagnosing the disease. Test strips are effective if pathology is detected and it is necessary to constantly monitor the amount of pigment.

Normal level of urobilinogen in urine

If the urine contains traces of uro, this is considered normal in healthy people. Some of it enters through the filtration barrier of the kidneys.

The level of urobilinogen in urine should not exceed 10 mg/l (this is 34 µmol). This number is a trace of the presence of pigment.

If urobilinogen in the urine increases (urobilinuria), this is indicated by crosses on the urine test form. This is an important indicator of the presence of a disorder in the body.

The norm of urobilinogen in urine in children

In children, the level of urobilinogen in urine (uro) depends on age. It increases for the same reasons as in adults. After birth, the baby’s intestines are sterile and not colonized by microorganisms that cause the conversion of bilirubin. The indicator appears only with physiological jaundice of newborns.

Normal uro indicators in children, depending on age:

Urobilinogen levels in urine in pregnant women

During pregnancy, almost all indicators of blood, urine, and feces change. This is necessary to maintain all systems that contribute to gestation.

The level of urobilinogen in urine in pregnant women does not change or increases slightly. A sharp change in the number of uro indicates gastrointestinal disease, hemolysis (when red blood cells are massively destroyed), toxicosis.

Attention! If a woman has a change in the color of her urine, she should immediately consult a doctor and take a general urine test.

Pregnant women often do not follow a diet, consume a lot of salty foods, and dehydration occurs due to insufficient water intake. Then uro increases not because of the disease, but because of a decrease in body fluid. The urine also becomes dark.

Reasons for increased urobilinogen in urine

Uro in urine is not always increased in diseases. A physiological increase is observed in the first days of a child’s life (newborn jaundice), as a result of a decrease in the amount of urination, with insufficient water intake into the body, when the amount of pigment does not change, but the concentration becomes greater due to a decrease in fluid. Taking medications that cause changes in the water-salt balance causes an increase in the concentration of uro.

Urobilinogen in urine is increased in the presence of the following diseases:

1. Liver dysfunction. Infectious damage to the organ (hepatitis) is accompanied by pain in the right hypochondrium and jaundice of the skin. The disease is curable. Cirrhosis (replacement of liver parenchyma with connective tissue) occurs with the same symptoms, but can only be treated with organ transplantation. Both diseases are accompanied by a sharp increase in uro in urine analysis.
2. Poisoning accompanied by intoxication of the body. Accompanied by dyspeptic disorders (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea), increased body temperature. Urobilinogen increases if toxic substances reach the liver.
3. Diseases that cause damage to the spleen. The organ performs the functions of metabolism and hematopoiesis. Since metabolic products pass through the liver and it is the site of disposal of blood cells, disorders of the spleen affect its functioning, causing an increase in pigment.
4. Intestinal diseases that cause inflammation (enterocolitis). Dyspeptic disorders, bloating, and changes in intestinal digestion appear.
5. Transfusion of the wrong blood type.
6. The appearance of foreign elements inside the body (prostheses, valves).

With these diseases, the clarity of the urine changes (becomes darker), so the patient may suspect an exacerbation of the disease. Urobilinogen in the urine of a child increases for the same reasons as in adult women and men.

Important! For abbreviation, the study form uses the short name urobilinogen. For some laboratories - uro, for others - ubg in urine analysis.

Reasons for the decrease in urobilinogen in urine

The physiological reason for a decrease in ubg levels is an increase in body fluid. At the same time, the amount of the indicator does not change; its concentration decreases per 1 liter of liquid. The following diseases are characteristic of a decrease in the pigment of a patient’s urine:

• subhepatic jaundice, blockage of the bile ducts (uro decreases, bilirubin concentration increases);
• glomerulonephritis also causes a decrease in urobilinogen;
• impaired filtration capacity of the kidneys, the indicator decreases or is absent altogether;
• tumor diseases affecting the functions of the kidneys and liver.

What to do if urobilinogen in urine deviates from the norm

When receiving an analysis result with a deviation of urobilinogen from the norm (increase, decrease), they are retested for correct decoding. The result is distorted when urine is left in the sun for a long time or biomaterial is given inside a non-sterile container. Therefore, in the absence of pathological causes, treatment is not carried out.

If a repeat urine test shows the same results, you should consult a doctor to find out what urobilinogen is and to receive further treatment. Self-therapy cannot be carried out; an increase in uro formation may be an indicator of a serious illness. If the test result is too high, the doctor will prescribe instrumental diagnostics.

Doctors prescribe medication for changes in urobilinogen in the urine, folk remedies, and diet.

1. Diet. Prescribed for detection of certain diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and liver (enterocolitis, hepatitis, cirrhosis). Alcohol, fried, spicy, smoked, salty foods are excluded. Baking is cancelled. Reduce the number of eggs per week. It is necessary to drink more water to thin the blood, reducing the concentration of this pigment per 1 liter of body fluid. Recommended foods: lean meat (turkey, chicken), dairy products, green vegetables, fruits.
2. Medicines for the liver. Hepatoprotectors are prescribed for inflammation of the organ to protect hepatocytes from the effects of toxic substances. Antiviral drugs are used if the disease is viral in nature (hepatitis A). Droppers with minerals, vitamins, and saline are prescribed. They remove toxic substances from the body, correct the water-salt balance, and help improve the general condition of the body. Since the body is weakened by the disease and is at risk of secondary viruses and infections, immunomodulators are prescribed.
3. Choleretic agents. Since uro is formed under the influence of bile, a decrease in its concentration leads to a decrease in pigmentation. To stimulate bile, choleretic drugs (Hofitol) are prescribed.
4. In case of poisoning of the body, sorbents (Smecta, Polysorb), antiseptics (Enterofuril), agents that replenish the loss of body fluids (Regidron), and broad-spectrum antibiotics are prescribed.
5. To treat enterocolitis, broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs, agents that support intestinal microflora (Normobact), enzyme preparations (Creon) to improve digestive function, and drugs that improve intestinal motility (Loperamide) are used.

If you consult a doctor in a timely manner when symptoms of malaise and clinical signs of the disease appear, the prognosis for the disease is positive.

Self-medication is excluded; you should strictly adhere to the doctor’s instructions for treatment.

To prevent an increase in urine urobilinogen and improve health, drink water (at least 2 liters per day), eat a healthy diet, apply hardening (swimming with cool water, walking barefoot at home, visiting the pool), and lead a healthy lifestyle.

The term "urobilins" includes both urobilinogen or chromogen and stercobilinogen and urobilin. When conducting diagnostic tests of a person’s health, doctors always prescribe a laboratory test such as a general urine test. An important indicator in it is the qualitative reaction to urobilinoids. They give an idea of ​​pathological changes in the tissues of the liver, gall bladder, ducts, circulatory system and urinary organs.

What is urobilinogen

Urobilinogen is a colorless substance compared to urobilin, which is yellow in color. As a result, the liquid saturated with it darkens when it stands for some time at room temperature.

Urobilin in the broad sense of the term refers to a general series of bile pigments, which are products of the breakdown of bilirubin and other porphyrin bodies.

In a healthy person, bilirubin is found in extremely low concentrations. This is precisely the reason why such a substance content can usually be neglected in general or biochemical analyses. It is believed that bilirubin bodies are not normally present in urine. Their increased content in urine is called bilirubinuria. Manifestations of this pathological condition can be seen with the naked eye, since bilirubinuria is characterized by.

How is urobilin formed?

Bilirubin is formed after the breakdown of red blood cells. Insoluble in aqueous media, it is called “free” or “unconjugated”. This substance is not able to cross the renal filtration barrier. Consequently, it is not detected in urine, even if its amount in the blood is slightly increased. A chemical reaction between glucuronidase and bilirubin occurs in hepatocytes. Here a “bound” or “conjugated” form is already formed. This bilirubin is a water-soluble substance and is therefore excreted in urine. In this “bound” state, it is also released into the intestinal lumen with gall bladder acids.

During the passage of blood to neutralize it through the hepatocellular filter, urobilinogen remains in the liver cells, turns back into bilirubin and is excreted with bile enzymes. However, a small number of blood cells flow through the veins, bypassing the liver. As a result of these processes, low levels of urobilinogen are found in the urine.

Normal indicators for adults and children

Urobilins are normally found in the blood and in all body secretions. When analyzing urine, both types of bile pigments can be detected: bilirubin and urobilinogen. This occurs due to a significant increase in the concentration of bilirubin conjugate in the blood. In this case, the latter penetrates the renal barrier and appears in urine.

The simplest and therefore most common method of medical laboratory research is. If doctors suspect a pathology, then they prescribe a repeat biochemical analysis only for urobilin.

Pathologies can be manifested by an increase, decrease, or zero urobilin content.

Indicators for adults

The level of urobilinogen in urine for adults and children differs in quantitative indicators. In the urine of healthy people, urobilinogen should not exceed 17 µmol/liter or 1 milligram per 100 milliliters. The presence of urobilinogen in urine in elevated concentrations is called urobilinogenuria.

Normal values ​​for healthy people range from 0.005 to 0.01 g/liter. Bilirubinuria characterizes many diseases of the liver and bile ducts. For example, it often occurs in viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, and cancer metastases of various origins.

Normal indicators in childhood

If in an adult urobilin is normally always present in the analysis, then in breastfed babies it is practically not detected in the secretions.

The so-called “jaundice” of newborns also occurs in 90% of children and is practically the norm, as it goes away on its own in 3-5 days. The occurrence of this condition in a baby is associated with the transition of the circulatory system from fetal hemoglobin in the fetus to normal hemoglobin after birth.

Children under 10-12 years of age, when passing urine, are considered to have no pathologies in the liver or urinary system if the urobilin content is up to 3 mg/liter.

Normal during pregnancy

Due to the fact that during pregnancy a woman experiences many hormonal and physiological changes in the body, doctors constantly monitor her condition. Taking urine tests by pregnant women allows you to monitor changes in the condition of the mother and fetus.

A general urine test is also performed on an ongoing basis. Typically, urobilinogen in the urine of pregnant women does not exceed 0.01 g/liter. But it can be higher, and the data is not considered a pathology if the darkening of the urine is caused by the woman’s dehydration or medications.

Reasons for decreased and increased levels of urobilin in urine

A reduced amount of urobilinogen is caused by obstructive jaundice, obstruction of the bile ducts, alveococcosis of the liver tissue, severe intestinal dysbiosis, etc. If it is absent in the urine, this may be a consequence of complete blockage of the bile duct of the liver.

An increased amount of urobilinogen has been recorded in all cases of diseases involving the destruction of red blood cells, since the release of hemoglobin is the reason for the occurrence of excess bilirubin, and then urobilinogen. The content of this pigment is elevated in urine in the following pathologies: cirrhosis, hepatocellular cancer, metastatic liver cancer, hemolytic and parenchymal jaundice, damage to the intestines by toxins, liver, spleen, Birman anemia, bleeding from the uterus and ovaries, bleeding from ulcers of organs, lobar pneumonia , Werlgolf's diseases, and the like.

Also, the complete absence of urobilinogen in the urine definitely indicates blockage of the common bile duct. This can be caused by tumor, inflammatory processes or the release of stones from the gallbladder.

Diagnostic methods

For an objective diagnosis of urobilinogenuria, the following labs are performed. research:

1. Schlesinger test. It consists in the glow of urobilins from the formed zinc-urobilin bodies.
2. Unified Florence test. In hydrochloric acid, urobilins give a bright red color.
3. Unified method with paradimethylaminobenzene aldehyde. Urobilins, when bound to paradimethylaminobenzene aldehyde, show a qualitative reaction with a scarlet color. The strength of the reaction depends on the quantitative content of urobilins; the more there are, the more intense the color.
4. Photoelectrocolorimetry or spectrophotometry method. Urobilinogen in laboratory analysis forms is indicated by pluses - the weakest concentration is one (+), and the most critical (++++).