ABSTRACT
Bilirubin is an important intermediary in the normal degradation of hemoglobin. It is present in the circulating blood at all times and is one of the important components of bile. Ordinarily, urine does not contain any bilirubin. The bilirubin excreted in the bile is conjugated in the liver as the mono- or diglucuronide. Several investigators have indicated the value of routine testing of urine specimens for bilirubin. Limitations of urine bilirubin testing relate mainly to handling of the urine specimens on which the tests are performed. It is mandatory that fresh urine be used since bilirubin glucuronide hydrolyzes to form free bilirubin or oxidizes to form biliverdin. In addition to the use of fresh urine, it is necessary to hold the dip-and-read strip close to the bilirubin color chart to get good results and obtain the optimum sensitivity possible.
