Bilirubin blood test is a combination of total bilirubin, direct bilirubin, and indirect bilirubin. Total bilirubin is a total value of direct and indirect bilirubin. Direct bilirubin is also known as conjugated bilirubin and indirect bilirubin as unconjugated bilirubin.
This test measures the amount of bilirubin in the body. This test is performed to check the functioning of your liver. Total bilirubin is a part of panel tests that measure liver function.
Importance of Liver:
The liver makes bile which helps in the digestion of food, and bile consists of bilirubin in it. Most of the bilirubin comes from breaking down of red blood cells during the normal body process. A healthy liver can flush out the bilirubin, but when your liver function is abnormal; which cause bilirubin to build up in the body. Bilirubin is an orange-yellow pigment which comes from the normal breakdown of red blood cells and passes through the liver and excreted from the body.
Why this test is Performed?
This test may be recommended to you if you experience symptoms such as stomach pain, dark urine, flu-like symptoms such as fever and chills, yellowish skin and eyes, itchy skin, and fatigue, etc. This test may also be suggested if you are being treated for liver diseases.
Inform your doctor if you are on any medications, have any allergies or underlying medical conditions before your Bilirubin Total Direct And Indirect Blood. Your doctor will give specific instructions depending on your condition on how to prepare for Bilirubin Total Direct And Indirect Blood.
Do not take any food or drinks for at least 4 hours before the test. Some medicines may interfere with the test results, so your healthcare provider may ask you to stop certain medications for a few days before the test. Hence, you are advised to inform your healthcare provider about your current medical conditions as well as your current medications before undergoing this test.
The normal test results may vary depending on gender, age, and health history, etc.
Increased levels of bilirubin in the blood are known as jaundice. This may indicate liver damage. Various disorders and diseases may cause increased levels of bilirubin are rapid breakdown of red blood cells, erythroblastosis fetalis (a severe blood disorder affecting newborn babies), hemolytic anemia, blood transfusion reactions; gallbladder disorders including gallstones and biliary stricture, cancer of pancreas; liver disorders such as liver cirrhosis, Gilbert disease (a disorder in which bilirubin is unprocessed by the liver), hepatitis where the liver is inflamed or swollen, etc.
Newborn babies usually have high levels of bilirubin as compared to adults. However, this is a normal reaction to the stress of birth and bilirubin levels usually stabilize over a few days. If the bilirubin levels for these babies continue to remain high or continue to increase, this may indicate jaundice or other liver problems.
Bilirubin levels may be low in individuals those who take medications such as phenobarbital, increased vitamin C levels, and theophylline, etc.
If you receive abnormal test results, you may consult your doctor immediately. Your doctor may advise you appropriate medical treatments, lifestyle modifications, or further diagnostic tests based on your test results.
| Gender | Age groups | Value |
| UNISEX | All age groups | 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dl |
| UNISEX | All age groups | 0 to 0.3 mg/dl |
| UNISEX | All age groups | 0.0 to 0.3 mg/dl |