can urine test determine liver disease

i had a urine test and it came back ok i have heared that bilirubin in urine can be a cause of liver damage so can it be detected through urine test.

[mikesimon]

Was the test a 24 hour urine collection? That is usually how they test urine for bilirubin.
Bilirubin is not normally in urine and if it is found in the urine it may suggest:

    * Biliary strictures
    * Cirrhosis
    * Gallstones in the biliary tract
    * Hepatitis
    * Injury from surgery that affects the biliary tract
    * Tumors of the liver or gallbladder

See:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003595.htm

The presence of bilirubin in the urine is not "a cause of liver damage" but rather a possible sign of liver damage.

Generally a blood test is used to assess bilirubin levels - an elevated blood bilirubin may indicate a liver or biliary problem. However it can also indicate other issues.

Follow up tests are usually done to diagnose the underlying cause.

Good luck,
Mike

[mikesimon]

Was the test a 24 hour urine collection? That is usually how they test urine for bilirubin.
Bilirubin is not normally in urine and if it is found in the urine it may suggest:

    * Biliary strictures
    * Cirrhosis
    * Gallstones in the biliary tract
    * Hepatitis
    * Injury from surgery that affects the biliary tract
    * Tumors of the liver or gallbladder

See:  http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003595.htm

The presence of bilirubin in the urine is not "a cause of liver damage" but rather a possible sign of liver damage.

Generally a blood test is used to assess bilirubin levels - an elevated blood bilirubin may indicate a liver or biliary problem. However it can also indicate other issues.

Follow up tests are usually done to diagnose the underlying cause.

Good luck,
Mike