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What Causes Elevated Bilirubin Levels In Urine?
Question: Hi. I got a very good answer from one doctor but I'd like a second opinion. I had a blood bilirubin test that was 4 umol/l for total bilirubin. My urine measures +3 or 100 umol/l. I am not dehydrated and my urine bilirubin is constant. I was an alcoholic for 35 years and quit drinking 3 years ago. My liver ultrasound went from being fatty to normal. Could I have liver damage?
Brief Answer:
Presence of bilirubin in urine is not normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
Presence of bilirubin in the urine is not normal so it should be evaluated further.
There are several causes of this.
1) Viral Hepatitis (inflammation of liver) commonly
2) Stones in the biliary tract.
3) Tumors of liver / gall bladder.
4) Biliary tract disease.
5) In obstructive jaundice
6) Cirrhosis of the liver but very rarely in your case.
But if you have already done the ultrasound and if it is normal then you need not to worry about any liver damage.
As it can also happen in lab errors in the form of false sampling or exposure of urine sample to U.V rays (sunlight) etc.
But I would like to know other liver function test such as SGPT,SGOT and the whole ultrasound report if you could send me.
Most of the above mentioned causes are reversible with treatment. Please don't panic.
Hope I could help you.
Thanks and regards,
Presence of bilirubin in urine is not normal.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to health care magic,
I have read your query and understand the concern.
Presence of bilirubin in the urine is not normal so it should be evaluated further.
There are several causes of this.
1) Viral Hepatitis (inflammation of liver) commonly
2) Stones in the biliary tract.
3) Tumors of liver / gall bladder.
4) Biliary tract disease.
5) In obstructive jaundice
6) Cirrhosis of the liver but very rarely in your case.
But if you have already done the ultrasound and if it is normal then you need not to worry about any liver damage.
As it can also happen in lab errors in the form of false sampling or exposure of urine sample to U.V rays (sunlight) etc.
But I would like to know other liver function test such as SGPT,SGOT and the whole ultrasound report if you could send me.
Most of the above mentioned causes are reversible with treatment. Please don't panic.
Hope I could help you.
Thanks and regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Thank you! I'm sorry but I don't have access to the ultrasounds. I've never had the SGPT or SGOT tests.
Brief Answer:
Kindly go for SGPT and SGOT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply.
The most likely cause in your case could be viral hepatitis,where blood billrubin value remains normal but it is seen in urine.
SGPT and SGOT are liver enzymes and they are highly sensitive tests,so they get easily elevated in case of liver inflammation.
Hence,better you should go for both tests and also get your serum HBsAG done.
However there is no need to worry much as viral hepatitis is completely reversible with symptommatic treatment.
Regards,
Kindly go for SGPT and SGOT.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the quick reply.
The most likely cause in your case could be viral hepatitis,where blood billrubin value remains normal but it is seen in urine.
SGPT and SGOT are liver enzymes and they are highly sensitive tests,so they get easily elevated in case of liver inflammation.
Hence,better you should go for both tests and also get your serum HBsAG done.
However there is no need to worry much as viral hepatitis is completely reversible with symptommatic treatment.
Regards,
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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