Table of contents:
2023 Author: Benjamin Dyson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-05-21 01:37
Urobilinogen is a product of the degradation of bilirubin by bacteria present in the intestine, which is carried into the blood and excreted by the kidney. However, when there is a large amount of bilirubin produced, there is an increase in the concentration of urobilinogen in the intestine and, consequently, in the urine.
The presence of urobilinogen is considered normal when it is between 0.1 and 1.0 mg/dL. When the values are above, it can be indicative of liver problems, hemolytic anemia or obstruction of the bile ducts.
Thus, it is important that the doctor is consulted if there is an increase in urobilinogen in the urine, so that an investigation of the possible cause can be carried out and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
What can be
Urobilinogen can be found naturally in urine, without having any clinical significance. However, when present in amounts higher than expected and when there are changes in other factors analyzed in the urine and blood tests, it may be indicative of some situations.
1. Liver problems
Some diseases such as cirrhosis, hepatitis or liver cancer can increase the amount of bilirubin and, consequently, urobilinogen in the urine. In addition, the presence of this substance in the urine may suggest liver problems even before symptoms or changes in tests appear.
Therefore, when the presence of urobilinogen in the urine is verified, it is important that it is observed if there is any other alteration in the urinalysis, as well as the result of other blood tests, such as hemogram, TGO, TGO and GGT, in case of liver problems. Find out about other tests that evaluate the liver.
2. Blood changes
In some situations, the body can produce antibodies that react against red blood cells, resulting in their destruction and, consequently, greater production of bilirubin, whose increased value can be perceived through blood tests, as well as being noticed increased amount of urobilinogen in urine.
Some diseases that can cause this change are hemolytic anemia and splenomegaly, which is the enlargement of the spleen, an organ related to blood filtration, removing the oldest red cells, production and storage of white cells.
3. Biliary changes
Some changes in the bile ducts, such as cholestasis or cholangitis, can lead to the presence of urobilinogen in the urine, either by obstruction or inflammation of these ducts, causing the amount of bilirubin and liver enzymes to increase.
What to do
If significant amounts of urobilinogen are observed in the urine, it is important that the physician is consulted so that the cause of the increased amount of urobilinogen in the urine can be identified and, thus, the most appropriate treatment can be initiated.
If the presence of urobilinogen is due to hemolytic anemia, the doctor may recommend treatment with drugs that regulate the immune system, such as corticosteroids or immunosuppressants. In the case of liver problems, the doctor may recommend rest and a change in diet, for example.
In the case of liver cancer, surgery to remove the affected region may be necessary, followed by chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy.
