Bilirubinuria

Bilirubinuria is a medical condition characterized by the presence of bilirubin in the urine. It is often an indication of liver disease such as hepatitis or liver cirrhosis, or conditions that lead to excessive hemolysis, the breakdown of red blood cells.

Causes

Bilirubinuria is typically caused by conditions that either increase the production of bilirubin or decrease the liver's ability to remove it from the body. These conditions include:

• Hepatitis: An inflammation of the liver that can be caused by various factors, including viral infections and alcohol abuse.
• Liver cirrhosis: A late stage of scarring (fibrosis) of the liver caused by many forms of liver diseases and conditions, such as hepatitis and chronic alcoholism.
• Hemolytic anemia: A condition in which red blood cells are destroyed and removed from the bloodstream before their normal lifespan is over.

Symptoms

The primary symptom of bilirubinuria is dark or brown urine. Other symptoms may be related to the underlying cause of the bilirubinuria and can include:

• Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)
• Abdominal pain
• Fatigue
• Weight loss
• Fever

Diagnosis

Bilirubinuria is usually detected through a urine test. If bilirubin is found in the urine, further tests may be needed to determine the cause of the bilirubinuria. These tests can include blood tests, imaging tests, and in some cases, a liver biopsy.

Treatment

Treatment for bilirubinuria typically involves treating the underlying cause of the condition. This can include medications, lifestyle changes, or in severe cases, surgery.

See also

• Bilirubin
• Hepatitis
• Liver cirrhosis
• Hemolytic anemia

Bilirubinuria Resources
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