Understanding Urobilinogen Levels in Stool and Urine During Hepatic Jaundice

Explanation:

Urobilinogen Levels in Hepatic Jaundice

During hepatic jaundice, which is a condition caused by liver damage, the levels of urobilinogen in stool and urine are affected as a result of impaired liver function.

Impact on Urobilinogen Levels in Urine:

One of the key changes during hepatic jaundice is the increase in urobilinogen levels in the urine. This is due to the liver's inability to process and excrete bilirubin effectively. Bilirubin is a waste product produced by the breakdown of old red blood cells, and urobilinogen is a byproduct of bilirubin metabolism. With liver damage, the liver struggles to conjugate and excrete bilirubin, leading to increased levels of unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin in the blood. As a result, there is also an increase in urobilinogen, which is then excreted in higher amounts in the urine.

Impact on Urobilinogen Levels in Stool:

In contrast to the increased levels of urobilinogen in urine, stool levels might actually decrease during hepatic jaundice. This is because the impairment in liver function affects the conjugation and secretion processes needed for urobilinogen to be excreted in the stool. As a result, even though there is an increase in urobilinogen production, it may not be effectively excreted in the stool.

Therefore, during hepatic jaundice, the correct scenario regarding urobilinogen levels is a decrease in stool levels and an increase in urine levels, as seen in option 3) Decreased levels in stool and increased levels in urine.