Chapter 30 Urine Indican Test (Obermeyer Test)
Introduction
Clinical Application
Because most of the endogenous indoles have a side chain that prevents cleavage and are instead metabolized to skatole, the production of indicans (indoxyl potassium sulfate and indoxyl glucuronate) reflects bacterial activity in the small and large intestines. Box 30-1 lists conditions in which increased levels are found.1–4 Elevations of indicans are considered an indicator of gastrointestinal dysfunction and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria (dysbiosis). The indican test can be used to monitor the efficacy of treatment of gastrointestinal dysbiosis.
