The bilirubin test helps diagnose problems with the liver, bile ducts or hemolytic anemia, for example, since bilirubin is a product of the destruction of red blood cells and to be eliminated by the body, it must be conjugated with a sugar in the liver and suffer the action of bile.
There are two main types of bilirubin that can be measured with this test:
- The bilirubin test is requested to evaluate liver function.
- Monitor treatment of newborns with jaundice.
- And evaluate diseases that may interfere with the production.
- Storage.
- Metabolism or excretion of bilirubin.
- Normally.
- The doctor prescribes total bilirubin.
- But laboratories generally release directly and indirect doses of bilirubin.
- As both doses are responsible for the total value of bilirubin.
- See what other tests help identify liver problems.
The bilirubin test requires no preparation and is performed with a small amount of blood, however, the result of this test may be interfered with when the sample is hemolysis, that is, when the amount of red blood cells destroyed is very large, which usually occurs when the collection is not performed correctly, so it is important that the collection is done in a reliable laboratory and with trained professionals.
The reference values for bilirubin in the blood are
Some newborns may have very high levels of bilirubin, which may be due to organ immaturity related to bilirubin metabolism or work stress. The reference values of bilirubin in infants vary depending on their life expectancy, being:
After the sixth day, the reference values are the same as those of the adult.Values above the reference value indicate that the baby has jaundice, which is one of the most common diseases in newborns and can be easily treated with light therapy, which aims to decrease the concentration of bilirubin in the baby’s body.Learn more about neonatal jaundice, its causes, and how treatment is done.
A bilirubin test is usually prescribed by your doctor when there are symptoms of liver problems, such as excessive fatigue, frequent nausea, vomiting, constant stomach pain, dark urine, or yellowish skin, for example.
However, this test can also be used in cases of suspected cirrhosis, hepatitis, and hemolytic anemia, for example, that cause signs such as paleness, frequent sleep, dry skin, hair scarcity, or fragile nails.See other symptoms of hemolytic anemia.
Decreased bilirubin levels are usually due to the use of certain medications, however, high levels of bilirubin usually indicate health problems that can be serious if not treated.
The cause of increased bilirubin in the blood varies depending on the type of bilirubin that increases:
In these cases, the change in bilirubin levels is almost always caused by a change in blood, however, the main causes include:
In addition, there are also cases where indirect bilirubin is augmented by a syndrome, known as Gilbert syndrome, in which there is a genetic alteration that prevents the liver from properly removing bilirubin.Learn more about Gilbert syndrome.
When there is an increase in direct bilirubin, it is usually a sign of a problem in the liver or bile ducts, so some of the main causes include:
Excessive use of medications that affect the liver, such as acetaminophen, can also lead to an increase in this type of bilirubin in the blood.Better understand the causes of increased bilirubin and jaundice in adults.