Is a Minus Sign for Urobilinogen Normal?

A minus sign in urobilinogen is normal. A minus sign in urobilinogen indicates a negative result, which is a normal phenomenon, and patients do not need to worry. Urobilinogen is a product of bilirubin metabolism. Aging red blood cells can produce bilirubin, which is metabolized by the liver and then excreted into the intestine through the bile duct. Under the action of intestinal bacteria, bilirubin is converted into urobilinogen. Under normal conditions, urobilinogen is negative or weakly positive. If urobilinogen is positive, it is recommended that patients undergo liver function tests, as it may indicate liver damage or hemolytic jaundice. Patients must seek medical attention promptly to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment.

Male: 0.3-3.55 μmol/L; Female: 0.00-2.64 μmol/L; Children: 0.13-2.30 μmol/L.

1. Negative urobilinogen + negative urine bilirubin: Seen in severe diarrhea or reduction of intestinal bacteria after administration of antibiotics.

2. Negative urobilinogen + positive urine bilirubin: Seen in severe intrahepatic bile duct obstruction, complete obstructive jaundice, and hepatitis.

3. Normal urobilinogen + negative urine bilirubin: Excludes jaundice or seen in Gilbert syndrome.

4. Normal urobilinogen + positive urine bilirubin: Seen in intrahepatic bile duct obstruction, incomplete obstructive jaundice, partial Dubin-Johnson syndrome, and partial Rotor syndrome.

5. Positive urobilinogen + negative urine bilirubin: Seen in hemolytic jaundice, partial Gilbert syndrome, and bypass hyperbilirubinemia.

6. Positive urobilinogen + positive urine bilirubin: Seen in hepatocellular jaundice such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer, Dubin-Johnson syndrome, and partial Rotor syndrome.