High Urobilinogen Levels in Urine: 6 Safe Home Remedies to Reduce Them

Urobilinogen in urine is usually only present at low levels. When testing shows high Urobilinogen, this is not merely an indicator to "lower" with diet or home remedies, but could be a sign that the body is experiencing problems with the liver, bile ducts, or a hemolytic condition. Elevated levels can be associated with hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, or hemolytic anemia.

Therefore, the goal of reducing Urobilinogen is to find and address the cause of the elevated levels, rather than trying to alter test results on your own. In this article, Tiptory helps you understand what Urobilinogen in urine is, if high Urobilinogen is dangerous, common causes, and what to do to bring the levels back to normal. Importantly, Urobilinogen testing alone cannot accurately determine a specific disease; your doctor may need to combine it with liver function tests, bilirubin, or other examinations to find the cause.

Part 1: Effective home remedies to reduce Urobilinogen

Method 1: Eat more fruits and vegetables to support liver health

Prioritize vegetables and fruits in your diet

• A diverse diet, rich in green vegetables and fruits, provides fiber, vitamins, minerals, and beneficial plant compounds for overall health. This is a good foundation for maintaining liver health and supporting bilirubin metabolism in the body.

• However, there is no evidence that a specific vegetable or fruit can directly reduce Urobilinogen in urine. Urobilinogen in urine is produced from bilirubin and partly reabsorbed by the liver; when Urobilinogen is high, the cause may be related to liver disease or increased red blood cell destruction.

Add tomatoes and red vegetables

• You can include tomatoes, red bell peppers, and other colorful fruits and vegetables in your meals. These foods provide many plant compounds and antioxidants, contributing to a balanced diet beneficial for health.

• Tomatoes or red foods should not be considered a treatment for high Urobilinogen. If the levels are abnormal, it is more important to identify the cause rather than trying to reduce the levels with a single food.

Add beets to your menu

• Beets can be used as part of a diet rich in vegetables. They can be eaten raw, steamed, boiled, or combined with other vegetables to increase dietary diversity.

• Experts recommend looking at liver-supporting diets holistically rather than focusing on a single "liver detox food." Professional guidelines on liver disease emphasize building a nutritional plan appropriate for each individual's specific condition.

Don't just try to lower Urobilinogen with food

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, you should not self-treat by only changing your diet. Elevated levels can occur in hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, or hemolytic anemia.

• If abnormal results persist or are accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, pale stools, fatigue, nausea, or abdominal pain, consult a doctor for further evaluation. The doctor may order liver function blood tests, bilirubin, or other tests as appropriate.

Method 2: Supplement with fiber and whole grains

Increase fiber to support liver health

• Adequate fiber intake helps build a balanced diet and benefits digestive health. Good sources of fiber include vegetables, fruits, whole grains, brown rice, nuts, and legumes.

• According to current nutritional recommendations, adults should generally consume about 25–38 g of fiber per day, depending on age, gender, and energy needs. Instead of aiming for a specific number at all costs, it's better to increase fiber from various food groups and drink enough water.

Prioritize whole grains in your meals

• You can replace some refined grains with brown rice, oats, whole barley, or whole-wheat bread. This helps increase fiber intake and improves the overall quality of your diet.

• When trying to reduce Urobilinogen, it's important to note that fiber is not a treatment and there is no evidence that eating more fiber can directly reduce Urobilinogen in urine. If Urobilinogen is high, the important thing is still to find the cause of the abnormality.

You can add barley to your menu

• Barley is a fiber-rich grain, especially in beta-glucan. You can use barley in porridge, soup, or grain dishes as a substitute for some refined starches.

• It should not be understood that barley has a direct "liver detox" effect. The liver and kidneys are responsible for metabolizing, processing, and eliminating many substances in the body; a healthy diet primarily helps support the function of these organs.

Increase fiber gradually and diversify

• If you previously ate little fiber, gradually increase your intake to avoid bloating, flatulence, or digestive discomfort.

• Prioritize combining vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, and nuts instead of relying on a single food. This is a more practical way to build a diet that supports liver and overall health.

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, don't just focus on reducing Urobilinogen with diet. This indicator can change when the body experiences problems related to the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cell destruction, so the cause needs to be evaluated if the results are abnormal.

Method 3: Limit processed foods

Prioritize fresh and minimally processed foods

• A diet high in processed foods often contains a lot of free sugar, salt, saturated fat, and calories, while being low in fiber. Eating these frequently can increase the risk of overweight, fatty liver, and metabolic disorders, thereby affecting liver health.

• To support your liver, prioritize vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, lean meat, eggs, and nuts. The simple approach is to choose foods as close to their natural state as possible and limit products with long ingredient lists.

Limit refined sugar and refined carbohydrates

• Reduce refined sugars and refined carbohydrates such as sugary drinks, candies, cakes, white bread, and many snack foods. Instead, opt for whole fruits, whole grains, and fiber-rich starch sources.

• This change does not mean a strict diet to reduce Urobilinogen. There is currently no evidence that cutting out a specific food can directly lower Urobilinogen in urine.

Reduce fast food and fried dishes

• Limit fast food, fried foods, and packaged foods as they are often high in calories, fat, and sodium. Replace them with steamed, boiled, baked, or pan-fried dishes with moderate oil for easier portion control.

• If you often eat out, start with small changes such as choosing dishes with vegetables, reducing high-sugar or high-fat sauces, and limiting portions of fried foods.

Don't try to lower Urobilinogen on your own with diet

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, dietary changes are only part of health care, not a treatment for the underlying cause. Elevated Urobilinogen can be related to various conditions, including liver disease or increased red blood cell destruction.

• Therefore, a reasonable goal is not to find a food that quickly reduces Urobilinogen, but to build a healthy diet and find the cause of abnormal Urobilinogen in urine. If the test results are significantly elevated or accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, fatigue, or abdominal pain, you should consult a doctor for appropriate evaluation.



Method 4: Avoid alcohol to protect the liver

Temporarily stop drinking alcohol when Urobilinogen is high

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, you should avoid alcohol until the cause is identified. Alcohol can damage liver cells and worsen liver disease.

• Chronic or heavy alcohol consumption can be associated with alcoholic fatty liver, alcoholic hepatitis, and cirrhosis. When liver function is affected, bilirubin metabolism can also change, leading to abnormal Urobilinogen in urine test results.

No amount of alcohol helps reduce Urobilinogen

• Do not try to "drink less" to reduce Urobilinogen if the levels are elevated. If the cause is related to liver disease, the safer option is to stop drinking alcohol and consult your doctor.

• In particular, alcohol should not be used as a regular relaxation method while waiting to find the cause. The liver needs time and favorable conditions to recover if it is damaged.

Combine with identifying the cause

• Avoiding alcohol does not replace diagnosis. High Urobilinogen can occur due to various causes, and not all cases stem from alcohol or liver disease.

• Your doctor may review Urobilinogen in urine results along with bilirubin, liver enzymes, and other tests to determine the cause. Therefore, instead of just focusing on reducing Urobilinogen, prioritize identifying and treating the underlying health issue behind the abnormal levels.

Method 5: Drink enough water to support liver and kidney health

Stay adequately hydrated daily

• Drinking enough water helps the body maintain blood volume, supports kidney excretion of urine, and contributes to maintaining normal physiological functions. This is a helpful habit if you are concerned about Urobilinogen in urine.

• It should not be understood that drinking a lot of water will directly reduce Urobilinogen. There is currently no evidence that forcing a fixed amount of water can treat high Urobilinogen or address the cause of elevated levels.

You don't necessarily need to drink exactly 8 glasses of water

• Water needs vary with age, weight, activity level, weather, and water intake from food. Therefore, the "8 glasses of water a day" figure should only be considered a reference guide, not a mandatory amount for everyone.

• You can drink water regularly throughout the day and increase your intake when exercising a lot or in hot weather. Plain water is a simple choice; milk and water-rich foods such as vegetables and fruits also contribute to daily fluid intake.

Avoid both dehydration and over-hydration

• Dehydration can make urine more concentrated and alter some urine test results. Therefore, maintain adequate hydration rather than waiting until you are very thirsty to drink.

• Do not drink an excessive amount of water in a short period to try to lower Urobilinogen. Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia, especially in some people with kidney, heart, or liver conditions.

Focus on finding the cause when Urobilinogen is high

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, drinking enough water is only a general health support measure, not a substitute for finding the cause.

• Urobilinogen in urine can change in many conditions related to the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cell destruction. Therefore, the goal of reducing Urobilinogen should be to identify and address the appropriate cause rather than simply trying to dilute the urine by drinking a lot of water.



Method 6: Lose weight to support liver health

Lose weight if you are overweight or obese

• If you have high Urobilinogen and are also overweight or obese, your doctor may recommend weight loss combined with a healthy diet and increased physical activity. For some liver diseases, especially liver disease related to metabolic disorders, weight loss can help improve fat in the liver and liver function.

• The goal is not to reduce Urobilinogen by rapid weight loss. More importantly, it is to improve metabolic health and address the cause that may be making Urobilinogen in urine abnormal.

Prioritize slow and sustainable weight loss

• If you need to lose weight, aim for a reduction of approximately 5–10% of your body weight over an appropriate period. In people with fatty liver disease related to metabolic disorders, this level of weight loss can provide significant benefits for the liver.

• Avoid extreme fasting diets, rapid weight loss, or using weight loss products with unknown ingredients. These methods are not treatments for high Urobilinogen and can have undesirable effects on health.

Combine healthy eating and exercise

• Prioritize vegetables, whole fruits, whole grains, legumes, fish, lean protein, and limit sugary drinks, ultra-processed foods, foods high in saturated fat, and alcohol.

• Increase physical activity appropriate for your physical condition. Adults are generally recommended at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, combined with muscle-strengthening exercises if health permits.

• If you are currently inactive, start with small changes such as brisk walking, cycling, or increasing daily activity time, then gradually increase intensity.

Consult your doctor before planning weight loss

• If tests show elevated Urobilinogen in urine, consult your doctor before starting a strict weight loss program. Your doctor can assess your weight, liver disease, and metabolic factors to develop a suitable plan.

• Remember that high Urobilinogen has many causes and not all cases are related to overweight. Therefore, instead of just trying to reduce Urobilinogen, focus on identifying the cause and treating the underlying health problem if present.



Part 2: How to treat high Urobilinogen in urine

Method 1: Discuss current medications with your doctor

Do not stop medication on your own to reduce Urobilinogen

• Some medications can affect liver function or bilirubin metabolism, thereby altering Urobilinogen in urine. If high Urobilinogen appears after starting a medication, your doctor may consider if that medication is related.

• However, you should not stop medication, reduce dosage, or change medication on your own just because of abnormal test results. Suddenly stopping some medications can cause the treated disease to relapse or lead to complications.

Discuss all medications you are currently taking with your doctor

• When visiting the doctor, provide a complete list of all medications and products you are using, including:

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medications.

  • Vitamins and supplements.

  • Herbal medicines or products.

  • Medications recently started or with changed dosages.

• Your doctor can compare the timing of medication use with Urobilinogen in urine results, and also consider tests such as bilirubin and liver enzymes if necessary.

Medication can be changed if the doctor determines a correlation

• If a medication is identified or suspected to cause liver damage or affect bilirubin metabolism, the doctor may decide to stop the medication, reduce the dosage, or switch to another medication depending on the case.

• When the cause is addressed, a high Urobilinogen level may return to an appropriate range. However, it should not be assumed that every abnormal case is due to medication.

Prioritize finding the cause over merely lowering the index

• The goal of reducing Urobilinogen is not to self-seek ways to alter test results, but to identify the cause of the elevated index and address that cause.

• If you are taking medication and find you have high Urobilinogen, bring your test results to a doctor or pharmacist for evaluation. Especially, if you experience jaundice, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, or unusual fatigue, you should seek early medical attention.



Method 2: Supplement iron only when iron deficient

First identify the cause of anemia

• High Urobilinogen can be associated with hemolytic anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are destroyed faster than usual. When red blood cells are broken down extensively, the amount of bilirubin produced increases and can cause Urobilinogen in the urine to rise. However, not all cases of anemia are due to iron deficiency.

• Therefore, you should not self-purchase iron supplements simply because you have high Urobilinogen. The doctor may need to check your complete blood count, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and other tests to determine the type and cause of anemia.

Supplement iron when actually iron deficient

• If tests confirm iron deficiency or iron-deficiency anemia, the doctor may prescribe oral iron supplements to help the body produce hemoglobin and red blood cells. Dosage and duration of use must follow professional guidelines.

• In some cases, the doctor may consider intravenous iron, such as when the patient cannot tolerate oral iron, has poor iron absorption, or needs iron supplementation as professionally indicated.

Do not self-medicate with iron if hemolytic anemia is suspected

• Hemolytic anemia does not mean iron deficiency. This condition can stem from autoimmune diseases, infections, medications, toxins, or red blood cell abnormalities. Treatment should focus on the cause of red blood cell destruction.

• Specifically, MedlinePlus notes that people with certain forms of hemolytic anemia may not be recommended to take iron supplements on their own. Supplementing iron when the body is not deficient can cause side effects and even lead to poisoning if taken excessively.

Treating the cause is the only way to reduce Urobilinogen

• The goal of reducing Urobilinogen is not to use iron to directly lower the test result. If Urobilinogen in the urine is elevated due to a disease related to red blood cell destruction, treatment needs to be based on the specific cause.

• If anemia is severe, the patient may need to be monitored and treated in the hospital. In some emergency cases, blood transfusions may be used to treat severe anemia.

• If you have high Urobilinogen accompanied by severe fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, yellow skin or eyes, dark urine, consult a doctor for evaluation instead of self-medicating with iron.



Method 3: Treating liver disease when Urobilinogen is high

Treating the cause of high Urobilinogen

• Urobilinogen in the urine can increase when the liver does not process and reabsorb Urobilinogen normally, such as in hepatitis or cirrhosis. However, this index alone is not enough to identify a specific liver disease. Doctors often need to combine medical history, clinical examination, and blood tests or imaging to find the cause.

• Therefore, the goal of reducing Urobilinogen is not to find a drug that directly lowers the index, but to treat the underlying medical condition.

Hospital treatment for severe liver disease

• If liver disease progresses severely or complications arise, the patient may need hospitalization for monitoring of liver function, coagulation status, infection, and other complications.

• Treatment methods depend on the cause. For example, people with chronic hepatitis B may be treated with antiviral drugs to slow down or prevent the virus from continuing to cause liver damage. For hepatitis C, direct-acting antiviral drugs can treat and cure most cases.

Not all liver diseases use antiviral drugs

• You should not self-purchase antiviral drugs just because tests show high Urobilinogen. The drug is only suitable for specific causes, such as viral hepatitis, and the choice of drug should be based on the doctor's diagnosis.

• For cirrhosis, there is currently no treatment method that can simply "cure" the scarring of the liver. Treatment focuses on the cause and controlling complications to slow disease progression and reduce the risk of liver failure.

Liver transplant only for severe liver failure

• If the liver is severely damaged to the point of liver failure and no longer responds to appropriate treatment methods, the doctor may evaluate the possibility of a liver transplant. This is an option to replace a diseased liver with a healthy liver from a donor in indicated cases.

• Liver transplantation is not a common treatment step when Urobilinogen in the urine increases. A high Urobilinogen index alone does not mean that the liver has failed or that the patient needs a liver transplant.

See a doctor early if there are abnormal signs

• If high Urobilinogen is accompanied by jaundice or yellow eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal swelling, leg swelling, persistent vomiting, confusion, or severe fatigue, early medical evaluation is necessary.

• When abnormal Urobilinogen in the urine is detected, bring the test results and a list of medications and supplements you are taking to the doctor. Do not self-discontinue medication or self-treat to reduce Urobilinogen without identifying the cause.



Part 3: Signs and methods for testing high Urobilinogen

Method 1: Recognizing abnormal signs

Pay attention to dark urine and pale stools

• When Urobilinogen in the urine increases, you may not notice any specific symptoms. The color of the urine or stool itself cannot definitively confirm high Urobilinogen; a urine test is needed to measure the amount of Urobilinogen.

• However, dark urine and pale or clay-colored stools can occur with liver or bile duct diseases. These are signs to pay attention to, especially if they appear simultaneously.

Check for signs of jaundice, yellow eyes

• Observe your skin and the whites of your eyes. If they turn yellow, this could be jaundice due to bilirubin accumulation in the body. Jaundice has many causes, including liver disease, bile duct obstruction, certain blood diseases, or medication side effects.

• High Urobilinogen can be associated with hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, or hemolytic anemia. Therefore, if you have jaundice or yellow eyes along with abnormal test results, you should not just try to reduce Urobilinogen at home but need to find the cause.

Monitor accompanying symptoms

• In addition to changes in urine color, stool, and skin, pay attention to:

  • Persistent fatigue or weakness.

  • Nausea, vomiting, or loss of appetite.

  • Abdominal pain or swelling.

  • Severe itching.

  • Swelling in the legs or ankles.

  • Dizziness, palpitations if hemolytic anemia is present.

Do not self-diagnose based solely on urine color

• Urobilinogen in the urine can be elevated due to many causes, and a Urobilinogen test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease. The doctor may need to combine bilirubin tests, liver enzymes, complete blood count, or other tests to determine the cause.

• If you notice dark urine, pale stools, or jaundice/yellow eyes, especially when these signs appear along with high Urobilinogen, seek early medical evaluation. When the cause is identified and treated appropriately, reducing Urobilinogen will be based on a solid foundation instead of just trying to change the test result.



Method 2: See a doctor when Urobilinogen is high

Do not self-diagnose solely from test results

• If tests show high Urobilinogen, you should consult a doctor to find the cause, rather than trying to reduce Urobilinogen at home. Elevated Urobilinogen can be associated with liver diseases such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, or hemolytic anemia.

• It is important that high Urobilinogen in the urine does not necessarily mean you have a serious liver disease. This test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease; the doctor may need to combine additional blood tests and other examinations to determine the cause.

Seek early medical attention if there are abnormal signs

• Pay special attention if high Urobilinogen is accompanied by:

  • Yellow skin or whites of the eyes.

  • Dark urine.

  • Pale stools.

  • Fatigue, loss of appetite, nausea, or vomiting.

  • Abdominal pain or swelling.

  • Persistent itching.

  • Swelling in the legs or ankles.

• These symptoms can occur in liver disease, bile duct disease, or bilirubin-related disorders. For example, jaundice occurs when bilirubin accumulates in the body and can be related to liver disease, gallbladder, or bile ducts.

The doctor will find the cause instead of just lowering the index

• When abnormal Urobilinogen in the urine is detected, the doctor may review the medical history, current medications, and accompanying symptoms. Depending on the case, bilirubin tests, liver enzymes, complete blood count, or other tests may be ordered.

• If the cause is hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, or hemolytic anemia, the treatment approach will differ. Therefore, there is no single method to reduce Urobilinogen that applies to everyone.

Do not self-medicate to adjust Urobilinogen

• Do not self-administer liver supplements, antiviral drugs, iron supplements, or dietary supplements with the aim of reducing Urobilinogen without knowing the cause.

• If you are taking medication or supplements, inform your doctor fully. Some medications and supplements can affect test results, but you also should not stop medication on your own without doctor's instructions.

Seek immediate medical attention if severe signs appear

• If high Urobilinogen is accompanied by clear jaundice, severe abdominal pain, excessive vomiting, confusion, impaired consciousness, or other severe abnormal symptoms, immediate medical evaluation is necessary. Conditions like bile duct obstruction or severe liver disease may require urgent treatment.

• In summary, the safe way to reduce Urobilinogen is to identify and treat the cause, not to try to change the index with a food or drug. If Urobilinogen in the urine test results are high, bring the test slip to your doctor for an explanation based on your overall health condition.



Method 3: Testing for high Urobilinogen

Check Urobilinogen in urine

• If high Urobilinogen is suspected, the doctor may order a urine test to measure the amount of Urobilinogen. This test is usually performed as part of a urinalysis and can help detect abnormalities related to the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cell destruction.

• Urine samples are usually collected using the clean-catch midstream method. Medical personnel will instruct on genital hygiene, collecting the midstream urine into a specialized cup, and then sending it to the laboratory.

Using dipsticks for screening

• In urinalysis, urine dipsticks have chemical pads that change color when exposed to certain substances in the sample. This is a common method for quickly checking various components of urine.

• However, the results of Urobilinogen in the urine should not be considered an independent diagnosis. High Urobilinogen can occur in various conditions, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, drug-induced liver damage, and hemolytic anemia.

Blood tests and liver function tests may be needed

• If urine test results are abnormal, the doctor may order additional blood tests to assess bilirubin and liver function. Liver function tests may include ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, and other indicators depending on the case.

• Combining multiple tests helps the doctor differentiate potential causes of high Urobilinogen, rather than relying on a single urine parameter.

Do not self-diagnose from a single test

• High Urobilinogen in the urine does not necessarily mean hepatitis, cirrhosis, or liver cancer. MedlinePlus notes that a Urobilinogen test alone cannot diagnose a specific disease; the doctor may need to perform further tests to determine the cause.

• Some medications and supplements can also affect test results. Therefore, inform your doctor about all medications and supplements you are taking, and do not stop medication on your own without instructions.

Focus on treating the cause to reduce Urobilinogen

• If tests confirm high Urobilinogen, the goal is not to try to lower the index yourself but to identify and treat the underlying cause. When the cause is controlled, Urobilinogen in the urine can return to an appropriate level.

• If abnormal results are accompanied by jaundice, yellow eyes, dark urine, pale stools, fatigue, abdominal pain, or leg swelling, you should consult a doctor for early evaluation.



References

1. MedlinePlus. (2024). Urobilinogen in urine: Medical test. U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
2. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2023). Cirrhosis: Definition & facts. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
3. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (2024). Treatment for cirrhosis. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
4. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. (n.d.). Liver disease. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
5. World Health Organization. (2026). Healthy diet. World Health Organization.
6. World Health Organization. (n.d.). Healthy diet. World Health Organization.

Content edited by: Leigh Kennedy Ly.


Information consulted and verified by expert: Evelyn Clark.