Urine dipstick gave a dark, vivid orange bilirubin result?
I need help interpreting my urine dipstick result–specifically in terms of bilirubin. With the strips I used, urine that has no bilirubin does not cause a color change at all on the dipstick; in other words it should remain a light cream color. A positive result is supposed to be a tan-ish color. My result was neither. Instead, I got a dark, vivid orange result. I’ve read elsewhere that any color change is abnormal, and that a color other than the typical positive result (tan) may indicate bile pigments other than bilirubin in the urine. Can anyone tell me what the significance of that would be? Or any other explanation of that color change?
If it matters, the only other abnormal result was trace amounts of protein. Specific gravity and pH were also high, but I know those vary with hydration status and type of food consumed. Urobilinogen, glucose, ketones, nitrite, leukocytes, and blood were all negative–so I know my kidneys are fine, I don’t have a urinary tract infection, and I’m not diabetic.
Just to rule some things out: the color of my urine was normal, I have not consumed anything containing red or orange dye (only thing I’ve had in the last 3 days is chicken, plain pasta, and coffee), I’m not on any medications or vitamins, and I performed the test properly.
Thanks very much for any help!
Thanks everyone for the input! To address the good points you all made:
–the first dipstick out of the container reacted normally w/the control (recently tested, stored properly, and they’re not expired)
–I too thought it was an anomaly but this is the result I get almost every time (5-6 times over the last 2 months)
–I originally got the strips as an inexpensive way to test for a UTI, but continued testing every once in a while to monitor the bilirubin result.
–no, I don’t exercise (but I’m not anywhere near overweight) I’ll try to pay attention to the effects of different foods though.
Thanks again!
