Bilirubin is a substance produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. After the red blood cells complete their function in the body, they are broken down and processed by the liver and mixed into bile. It is excreted from the body along with the bile content. Bilirubin levels may increase due to impaired liver function or intense red blood cell destruction.
If the liver is damaged, bilirubin can leak into the bloodstream and cause jaundice. With the bilirubin test, diseases affecting the liver can be determined.
How is a Bilirubin Blood Test Performed?
A bilirubin blood test is a laboratory evaluation of a blood sample. This test, which is performed by healthcare professionals, is performed with a blood sample taken from an arm vein in adults, while it is performed with a blood sample taken from the heel in newborns. Specialists may ask the patient not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the test or give different instructions. The necessary information is given to the patient by the specialist.
What Causes High Bilirubin?
A bilirubin level of 1.24 mg/dL and above in the body is called elevated bilirubin. This condition is also called hyperbilirubinemia. Depending on the underlying causes, conditions that can cause elevated bilirubin levels can be listed as follows:
Gallstones: Gallstones can develop as a result of hardening of substances such as cholesterol or bilirubin in the gallbladder and can block the passage of substances from the gallbladder to the intestine. This leads to an increase in bilirubin levels in the body.
Gilbert Syndrome: A genetic disorder that causes the liver not to process bilirubin properly. This substance, which cannot be processed in the liver, increases in the blood, leading to hyperbilirubinemia.
Liver Dysfunction: A condition that can cause impairment in the functioning of the liver can cause problems in the processing of bilirubin, leading to elevated levels in the blood.
Viral hepatitis: This is usually caused by inflammation of the liver from a viral infection. The liver cannot fully function and the bilirubin level in the blood rises.
Bile Duct Obstruction: Inflammation of the bile ducts can cause obstruction and the substances in the bile cannot be delivered to the intestine. This causes an increase in bilirubin levels in the body.
Intrahepatic Cholestasis of Pregnancy: It is known as a temporary condition in the last trimester of pregnancy. It causes the flow of bile in the liver to slow down or stop completely. Thus, it becomes difficult to remove bilirubin from the body and its level in the body increases.
What are the symptoms of elevated bilirubin?
Symptoms of elevated bilirubin levels depend on the underlying cause of the disease and may vary from person to person. Common symptoms in cases are as follows:
- Pain or swelling in the abdomen,
- Tremors
- Fire,
- Pain in the chest
- Weakness
- Dizziness
- Nausea and vomiting,
- Dark urine color.
What causes low bilirubin?
Factors that can temporarily cause low bilirubin include caffeine consumption, lack of oxygen, painkillers, use of Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory (NSAID) group or barbiturate group drugs. However, no specific disease has been identified that may cause this condition.
It is not known whether low bilirubin levels are harmful to human health. With its antioxidant properties, bilirubin is thought to be protective against many diseases such as coronary artery disease, ulcerative colitis, stroke, eye diseases.
What are the Symptoms of Low Bilirubin?
Low bilirubin usually does not cause any symptoms in humans. Low bilirubin levels can occur during routine blood tests.