What is the Bilirubin Urine Test?
A bilirubin urine test is mainly done to calculate bilirubin levels in the patient's urine. Usually, the urine does not contain bilirubin. However, the presence of bilirubin in the urine might suggest a severe underlying medical condition. Bilirubin in the urine can also be a sign of liver disease. Several urologic tests can be done to detect the bilirubin levels in urine, including urinalysis, urine culture test, and uroflowmetry. A bilirubin urine test is nothing but a chemical urinalysis that uses a dipstick to measure the bilirubin levels.
Some Facts About Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellowish-brown pigment secreted due to the breakdown of the red blood cells (RBCs). This pigment is principally found in the liver and is eliminated from the body during digestion. The formation of new RBCs after the death of the old RBCs is a normal physiologic process. Hence, if this process continues, the patient need not be worried because it implies that the bilirubin levels are alright. However, the problem arises when bilirubin accumulates in the bloodstream. Elevated bilirubin levels are an alarming sign of jaundice. It is a medical condition wherein the skin and the whites of the eyes look yellow. Several factors influence the bilirubin levels, age, and the general health of the patient being some of them. Babies can have neurological damage if their bilirubin levels go above 20 to 25 mg per dL. Therefore, it is essential for the patient to get the bilirubin levels checked. A urine test is one of the ways to check urine bilirubin levels. A health range is 0.3 to 1 mg per dL in adults, values more than this are considered abnormal.
Reasons for Conducting the Bilirubin Urine Test
The doctor usually recommends a bilirubin urine test as a part of the patient's regular check-up. This test is advised explicitly for patients with liver diseases, gallbladder diseases, and bile ducts (the tiny ducts that transport bile outside the liver). The symptoms of such conditions are listed below:
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Vomiting.
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Loss of appetite.
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Fatigue.
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Weakness.
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Jaundice.
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Swelling in the abdomen.
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Dark-colored urine.
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Itching.
A bilirubin urine test can be done in combination with other tests to diagnose the following:
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Cirrhosis, hepatitis, and other liver diseases.
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Blockages in the ducts carrying bile from the liver.
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The test helps monitor preexisting liver disease.
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Red blood cell disorders.
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Drug toxicity.
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Patients with a history of excessive alcohol consumption.
Pre-Procedural Preparations:
The patient does not have to make any special preparations before the procedure. However, some prescription medications can produce a false positive reading. Sometimes, the bilirubin levels might appear higher than usual. The false positive bilirubin levels are not particularly associated with liver diseases. The patient must make a list of all the medications that are being taken and discuss it with the doctor before undergoing the procedure. The patient might be asked to stop the following drugs a week before the procedure to avoid any complications:
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Diuretics.
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Barbiturates.
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Sulfonamides.
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Steroids.
All About the Testing Procedure:
The bilirubin urine test is a simple procedure wherein the patient needs to give a urine sample. The doctor might provide a cleansing wipe, a small container, and instructions on collecting the urine sample using the clean catch method. Then, the patient must follow the instructions mentioned below to collect the urine sample:
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First, the patient must wash their hands properly with soap and water to make them sterile.
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Open the container carefully without touching its inner surface.
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The patient must clean his genitals with a cleansing wipe before urinating. Males must retract the foreskin and wipe the penis head, and females must separate the skin folds around the vagina and wipe them gently.
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Urinate for a few minutes and then stop the flow. Start the urine flow again, but urinate into the container this time.
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The patient must ensure that the container does not touch his body.
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Collect one or two ounces of urine in the container. Make sure the container has markings to know the levels up to which the urine is collected.
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Stop the urine stream and return the container to the laboratory.
Bilirubin Urine Test in Babies
Newborn babies or infants are vulnerable to developing jaundice. This is because their liver does not have enough capabilities to expel bilirubin from the body. Hence, elevated bilirubin levels and jaundice can be devastating for infants. This is because they can have jaundice if the levels are not monitored regularly. However, it is challenging for the parents to conduct bilirubin urine tests in infants. The laboratory usually provides a urine collection bag that fits into the child's diaper. The bag can be placed over the baby's labia or penis for urine collection. The parents must use a new diaper bag every time to avoid bacterial contamination.
Interpretation of the Bilirubin Urine Test Results
High bilirubin levels usually suggest that the liver is not functioning properly. However, the test results cannot be conclusive because abnormalities in liver function can be associated with a person's exercise, medications, and dietary habits. Since bilirubin is formed after the breakdown of RBCs, elevated bilirubin levels might be related to red blood cell disorders and not liver diseases. Abnormal test results do not necessarily mean that the patient is suffering from a condition that requires immediate medical attention. Sometimes, the patient suffering from a mild liver disease known as Gilbert's syndrome might present with elevated bilirubin levels. However, infants diagnosed with raised bilirubin levels must be treated soon. This is because excessive bilirubin in the blood can cause delayed growth and development, hearing loss, eye problems, and death.
Risks of the Bilirubin Urine Test
There are no specific risks involved in undergoing the bilirubin urine test. However, some patients might have a slight burning sensation or bruising when the needle is inserted into the patient's arms. The pain usually subsides after some time.
The Take-Home Message:
Bilirubin is an integral pigment of the human body that carries out several essential functions. Every individual requires some amount of bilirubin which is synthesized by the liver. However, the problem arises when these levels go beyond the normal range. Hence, patients suffering from hyperbilirubinemia must seek medical attention to avoid liver-related disorders and complications.
