urobilinogen

[u″ro-bi-lin´o-jen] a colorless compound formed in the intestines by the reduction of bilirubin; the urobilinogen in the urine normally represents about 1 per cent of the bilirubin produced in the body by the breakdown of hemoglobin. Increased amounts in the urine indicate excessive bilirubin in the blood. Determination of the amount of urobilinogen excreted in a given period makes it possible to evaluate certain types of hemolytic anemia and also is of help in diagnosing liver dysfunction.

Laboratory tests for urobilinogen require collection of urine for a 24-hour period or for a 2-hour period. The 2-hour afternoon collection of urine is most commonly used because it is more convenient and also because it has been found that the excretion of urobilinogen reaches its maximum in the period from midafternoon to late evening. There is no special preparation of the patient for these tests. The exact time period in which the urine has been collected must be noted. The specimen should be taken to the laboratory immediately, since bacteria that may be present in the urine can oxidize urobilinogen and change it to urobilin.

u·ro·bi·lin·o·gen

(yūr'ō-bī-lin'ō-jen), Precursor of urobilin.

u·ro·bi·lin·o·gen

(yūr'ō-bi-lin'ō-jen) Precursor of urobilin.

urobilinogen

A pigment formed from BILIRUBIN in the intestine by bacterial action that is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted in the urine. Excess is found in the urine in HAEMOLYTIC ANAEMIA and certain liver disorders. None is found in complete obstruction to the the outflow of bile from the liver.

urobilinogen

urobilinogen

urobilinogen

urobilinogen

urobilinogen

u·ro·bi·lin·o·gen

u·ro·bi·lin·o·gen

urobilinogen

urobilinogen

Synonyms for urobilinogen

noun a chromogen formed in the intestine from the breakdown of bilirubin

Synonyms

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