What it is: A urine bilirubin test checks for bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown normally processed by the liver, in a urine sample as part of a dipstick urinalysis.
Why it's ordered: Ordered to help evaluate suspected liver or bile duct disease, especially when jaundice or other liver symptoms are present.
What it detects: Only conjugated (direct) bilirubin, which is water-soluble, appears in urine. Its presence suggests liver dysfunction or bile duct obstruction and should prompt further investigation of hepatobiliary disease.
Collection & prep: A urine sample collected in a clean container, tested with a dipstick. No special preparation is required.
Results:
Positive – suggests liver or bile duct dysfunction; typically prompts liver function blood tests
Negative – bilirubin not detected, which is the normal finding
Possible complications of liver/bile duct dysfunction: A positive urine bilirubin result is a useful early clue but isn't diagnostic on its own; it's typically followed up with blood-based liver function tests and imaging to identify the underlying cause.
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