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Questions and Answers
Which of the following is NOT true about urobilinogen?
Which of the following is NOT true about urobilinogen?
- It is mainly found in feces. (correct)
- It is formed from bilirubin in the colon.
- A small amount is normally filtered by the kidneys.
- It is responsible for the brown color of urine.
What is the main difference between urobilinogen and stercobilinogen?
What is the main difference between urobilinogen and stercobilinogen?
- Urobilinogen is formed in the liver, while stercobilinogen is formed in the intestines.
- Urobilinogen is reabsorbed into circulation, while stercobilinogen is not. (correct)
- Urobilinogen is responsible for the brown color of feces, while stercobilinogen is responsible for the brown color of urine.
- Urobilinogen is found in urine, while stercobilinogen is found in feces.
How does urobilinogen contribute to the color of urine?
How does urobilinogen contribute to the color of urine?
- Urobilinogen is oxidized in the urine, producing a yellow color. (correct)
- Urobilinogen is a pigment that gives urine its characteristic yellow color.
- Urobilinogen is broken down in the urine, producing a clear color.
- Urobilinogen reacts with other substances in urine, resulting in its distinctive odor.
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between urobilinogen and stercobilinogen?
Which statement accurately describes the relationship between urobilinogen and stercobilinogen?
What is the primary role of stercobilinogen in the body?
What is the primary role of stercobilinogen in the body?
Flashcards
Urobilinogen
Urobilinogen
A byproduct of bilirubin breakdown in the intestine that gets reabsorbed into circulation.
Bilirubin
Bilirubin
A substance produced from the breakdown of red blood cells that is converted to urobilinogen in the intestine.
Stercobilinogen
Stercobilinogen
A compound derived from bilirubin that is not reabsorbed and is converted to stercobilin, coloring feces.
Urobilin
Urobilin
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Fecal color
Fecal color
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Study Notes
Urobilinogen Overview
- Bilirubin in the intestines is converted to urobilinogen and stercobilinogen.
- Urobilinogen is reabsorbed into the bloodstream; stercobilinogen is not.
- Urobilinogen is a pigment responsible for the characteristic brown color of feces.
- A small amount of urobilinogen is filtered by the kidneys and found in urine (<1 mg/dL).
Clinical Significance
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Elevated levels of urobilinogen (greater than 1 mg/dL) can indicate liver disease or hemolytic disorders.
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Liver disorders, hepatitis, cirrhosis, and carcinoma can cause elevated levels.
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Hemolytic disorders show a different pattern: excess bilirubin is converted to urobilinogen, leading to higher levels; negative bilirubin and strong positive urobilinogen are a sign of hemolytic disorders.
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A small percentage (1% of non-hospitalized and 9% of hospitalized) of the population has elevated urobilinogen levels.
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Constipation is a frequent cause of elevated urobilinogen.
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In cases of bile duct obstruction, no urobilinogen is detected in urine. Reagent strips may not always detect low/absent levels.
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