Bilirubin - urine

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Male urinary system

This is test measures the amount of bilirubin in the urine. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment found in bile, a fluid produced by the liver. Large amounts of bilirubin in the body can lead to jaundice.

Conjugated bilirubin-urine; Direct bilirubin-urine

For this test, you must urinate into a special bag or container every time you use the bathroom for 24-hour period. 

• On day 1, urinate into the toilet when you wake up in the morning. Close the container tightly. Keep it in the refrigerator or a cool place during the collection period.
• Urinate into the special container every time you use the bathroom for the next 24 hours.
• On day 2, urinate into the container in the morning again when you wake up.
• Label the container with your name, the date, the time of completion, and return it as instructed.

For an infant:

Thoroughly wash the area around the urethra (the hole where urine flows out). Open a urine collection bag (a plastic bag with an adhesive paper on one end). For males, place the entire penis  in the bag and attach the adhesive to the skin. For females, place the bag over the two folds of skin on either side of the vagina (labia). Put a diaper on the baby (over the bag).

The infant should be checked frequently and the bag changed after the infant has urinated. Empty the urine from the bag into the container provided by your doctor.

Because lively infants can cause the bag to move, this procedure may take a couple of attempts. Extra collection bags may be necessary.

When finished, label and return the container as instructed.  

No special preparation is necessary for this test, but if the collection is being taken from an infant, a couple of extra collection bags may be necessary. A health care provider will tell you whether or not to discontinue any drugs or activities that may interfere with the test. (See "Special Considerations," below.)

The test involves only normal urination, and there is no discomfort.

This test may be performed when liver or gallbladder problems are suspected.

Review Date: 05/17/2005
Reviewed By: Nikheel S. Kolatkar, MD, Clinical and Research Fellow, Division of Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Hypertension, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.