[Guest]

My husband (age 28) has had 2 urinary tract infections in 2 months.The only symptoms he had were rust colored urine and it took slightly longer than usual to begin urinating. The doctor said there was bile in his urine, but doesn't even want to discuss why with us. He's waiting to see if antibiotics will clear it up. I've been searching the internet for causes of bile in the urine and can find nothing except serious conditions. Can it be something that isn't serious and can be cleared up with antibiotics? Please help.

Mary

[Guest]

A high concentration of bile in the urine is generally a sign of liver malfunction or blockage of the bile duct. It might also occur when there is inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or the pancreas. Perhaps the doctor thinks there is an infection that is the root cause and wants to give that a try before conducting more tests. Is there any sign of jaundice? This could be a sign of blockage of the duct. I guess, let the doctor try it his way, but if things don't improve by next week, insist on a referal to a specialist.
[quote] My husband (age 28) has had 2 urinary tract infections in 2 months. The only symptoms he had were rust colored urine and it took slightly longer than usual to begin urinating... [/quote]

[Guest]

Bile in the urine is not from any urinary problem but, as Jeffrey notes, from some type of liver problem. My research indicates that the appropriate course is to do a blood test to check liver function looking for things like "direct and indirect bilirubin" as well as "liver function studies" whatever they are. A CBC (complete blood count) would be a good idea as well. If these are normal, then I guess not much is wrong.

You should probably have your husband see a specialist (internist or GI specialist) if his regular physician isn't doing anything about the bile in the urine. Also, he should see a urologist because it is certainly not normal to see urinary infections in 28 year old men.
[quote] A high concentration of bile in the urine is generally a sign of liver malfunction or blockage of the bile duct. It might also occur when there is inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or the pancreas... [/quote]