Orange urine and elevated liver function blood tests are caused by a number of liver diseases. Urine that appears orange or darker than normal occurs in people with jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and eyes. Jaundice comes from bilirubin, a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. When the liver is damaged, it can't process the normal number of red blood cells, and bilirubin builds up in the body. Urine appears orange because bilirubin passes through the kidneys. Liver damage is reflected by elevated liver function blood tests.
Acute Hepatitis A
Acute hepatitis A, transmitted by the fecal-oral route or by sexual activity, causes a self-limited acute illness. Fever, abdominal pain, malaise and nausea often occur along with orange or dark urine, jaundice and elevated liver enzymes. Acute hepatitis A resolves in 85 percent of people within three months, the University of Washington explains.
Biliary Atresia
Biliary atresia, a congenital disease, occurs when the bile ducts that carry bile from the liver to the gallbladder don't develop properly. Since bile can't travel from the liver to the gallbladder, it builds up in the liver and damages it. Urine darkens or turns orange, and liver function blood tests become elevated.
Jaundice can first appear when a baby is two or three weeks old and worsen over time. Surgery to bypass the blocked ducts may allow bile to travel to the small intestine, but some babies will need a liver transplant.
Cirrhosis
When normal liver tissue is replaced by scar tissue, a person develops cirrhosis. While liver tissue can regenerate, scarred or fibrotic tissue can not. Scarring in the liver interferes with normal functioning and causes liver enzymes to rise. Jaundice turns urine orange or dark and makes skin yellow. Cirrhosis can emerge from alcohol use, hepatitis, medications, fatty liver, copper buildup in the liver and a number of other conditions. Severe cirrhosis requires livers transplant.
Gallstones
Gallstones, medically known as choledocholithiasis, can form in the gallbladder or in the bile ducts, blocking bile flow. Most gallstones form in the gallbladder and then travel to the bile ducts in western countries, the Merck Manual states. Bile builds up in the liver, causing jaundice and orange urine and elevated liver enzymes. Endoscopic, or surgical, removal of the stones cures the disease.
Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
Primary sclerosing cholangitis, PSC, damages and scars the bile ducts, blocking bile flow. Orange urine, jaundice and elevated liver enzymes occur when bile backs up in the liver. Around 75 percent of people with PSC have inflammatory bowel disease as well, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases reports.
