Diagnostic Laboratory Section

TEST FOR BILE SALTS

Hay’s test

• For detection of bile salts
  • Take 5 ml of urine in a test tube.
  • Sprinkle sulphur powder and view the tube without shaking it.
  • If bile salts are present, sulphur sinks to the bottom of the tube.
  • This is due to the reduction of surface tension of urine by the bile salts.