Specimen Collection
Specimen should reach the laboratory within 2 hours.
Urobilinogen is light sensitive- must be protected from light.
10 mL Collect Urine (Random)
Reference Intervals
This is a qualitative test, reported as:
-
Decreased
-
Normal
-
Slightly increased
-
Moderately increased
-
Strongly increased
Assay Method
Principle:
Qualitative colour production
Reagent:
In-house reagents
Analyser:
Visual inspection
Diagnostic Use and Interpretation
Bilirubin is conjugated to glucuronate in the liver and then excreted into the gut lumen, where it is broken down by bacteria to urobilinogen (stercobilinogen). Some of this is reabsorbed, and is returned to the blood via the portal circulation. A small proportion of urobilinogen is excreted in the urine.
Increased when large amounts of bilirubin are being excreted into the gut lumen. An increased bilirubin load occurs with intravascular haemolysis, haemolytic anaemia, or severe bruising. Early hepatocellular damage from infection or drugs will also reduce the liver's ability to reabsorb and re-excrete urobilinogen, leading to an increase in urine output.
Decreased in biliary tract obstruction.
This test is sometimes useful to determine the cause of a dark urine.
Contact Information
The chemical pathology team
can be reached via email:
chemicalpathologist@adhb.govt.nz
or via Lablink (09) 307 4949 ext 22000 or 09-3078995
Emails will receive priority attention from the on-call chemical pathologist. Include the patients NHI.
After-hours: contact
Lablink (Auckland City Hospital ext. 22000 or 09-3078995) or hospital operator for on duty staff after hours
.