Urine Urobilinogen (U-URO)

What is Urine Urobilinogen?

Urine urobilinogen is a breakdown product of bilirubin that’s normally present in small amounts in urine. It’s formed when bacteria in the intestines break down bilirubin, and some of it gets reabsorbed and filtered by the kidneys into urine.

Why is it Tested?

Doctors test urobilinogen to help evaluate liver function, bile duct blockages, and certain blood disorders. It’s part of routine urinalysis and can provide clues about liver disease, hemolytic conditions, or bile flow problems when combined with other test results.

Normal Ranges

Normal urobilinogen levels:

Normal: 0.1–1.0 mg/dL (or negative to 1+ on dipstick)
Increased: Greater than 1.0 mg/dL
Absent: Not detectable (may be abnormal)

Small amounts of urobilinogen are normal, but complete absence or high levels can indicate problems.

Reference ranges vary by authority. Track yours across multiple standards with automatic unit conversions in LabsVault.

What do Abnormal Results Mean?

Abnormal results are not a diagnosis. Always discuss your results with a qualified healthcare provider before making any medical decisions.

Increased Urobilinogen (>1.0 mg/dL)

Elevated levels may indicate:

Liver disease (hepatitis, cirrhosis)
Hemolytic anemia (increased red blood cell breakdown)
Heart failure affecting liver function
Certain infections affecting the liver
Increased bilirubin production

Absent Urobilinogen

Complete absence may suggest:

Bile duct obstruction
Severe liver disease
Antibiotic treatment killing intestinal bacteria
Biliary tract blockage
Certain medications affecting bile production

How to Track Over Time

Monitoring urobilinogen helps track liver function changes and treatment responses. Rising levels may indicate worsening liver disease or increased red blood cell destruction, while levels returning to normal suggest improving liver function or successful treatment of underlying conditions.