What characteristic of urine typically changes with a liver disorder?

The characteristic of urine that typically changes with a liver disorder is the color of urine. Liver disorders can lead to the accumulation of bilirubin in the bloodstream, which in turn can cause the urine to take on a darker yellow or amber hue, often described as "tea-colored." This change occurs because the liver's ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin is impaired, leading to its presence in the urine.

By contrast, temperature, pH, and specific gravity do not have direct correlations with liver function and are usually influenced by a range of other metabolic factors or conditions. For instance, urine temperature is not typically considered diagnostic, urine pH can vary widely due to dietary influences, and specific gravity reflects hydration status more than organ function. Hence, changes in urine color are particularly indicative of liver-related issues.