What is a Bilirubin test? – Understanding Procedure and Results

The main purpose of bilirubin test is to assess the levels of bilirubin present in blood. This test is crucial for identifying and diagnosing various health issues like jaundice, anaemia, or liver disease.

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is basically a pigment yellowish orange colour, produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. The liver works by clearing bilirubin from the blood, and transforms its chemical component to help excretion of bile through stool.

If you have a higher level of bilirubin than the normal range, it might cause your RBCs to break down at an unusual rate. It may suggest improper function of your liver in clearing bilirubin from the blood. A higher bilirubin level suggests a problem in the bilirubin metabolism pathway.

Why should you take a bilirubin test?

Doctors mostly recommend the bilirubin test when they require diagnosing and monitoring liver and bile duct problems, including hepatitis, cirrhosis, or gallstones. This test also helps diagnose conditions like sickle cell anaemia or haemolytic anaemia.

Destruction of red blood cells at a faster rate than their production points to the disorder of haemolytic anaemia. Your skin and eyes can get yellow due to high bilirubin levels in blood. This condition is known as jaundice.

Newborn babies usually have high bilirubin levels in blood. Doctors consider the level and type of bilirubin and the age of the newborn as well to find out if the treatment is needed.

How is a bilirubin test performed?

At first, the healthcare professional will collect your blood sample. This requires drawing a small quantity of blood from your veins in the arm with the help of a tiny needle. This blood sample is then collected in a tube.

Next your provider sends the blood sample to the laboratory for further analysis. Make sure to inform your doctor about your ongoing medications, food you have taken or your activity level, as these factors largely influence the test results. After the test is done, you can carry on with your regular activities.

Who needs a bilirubin test?

Doctors usually recommend a bilirubin test if they suspect you of the following situations:

• Anaemia or low blood cells
• Jaundice
• Cirrhosis
• Past record of excessive drinking
• Exposure to hepatitis virus
• Reaction to some toxic medicine

You might also require a bilirubin test if you experience any of the following symptoms:

• Dark coloured urine
• Nausea and vomiting
• Fatigue
• Pain and swelling in the abdomen
• Clay coloured stools

What do the bilirubin test results say?

Once you undergo the bilirubin test, the total bilirubin is measured and the result comes in two distinct values:

• Unconjugated or indirect bilirubin

In this case, the bilirubin is made from the breakdown of red blood cells. The unconjugated bilirubin is transported from the bloodstream to the liver.

• Conjugated or direct bilirubin

This bilirubin is formed in the liver through a chemical change, and is then carried to the intestine before excretion.

For adults over 18 years, the normal bilirubin level is 1.2 mg/dL of blood. The normal range for individuals under 18 years is 1 mg/dL. However, direct bilirubin level should be normally below 0.3 mg/dL.

The bilirubin level is slightly higher in men than in women. Moreover, race matters a lot as African-Americans tend to have lower bilirubin levels as compared to other races.

If your result shows high bilirubin level, it may suggest:

• Viral hepatitis
• Cirrhosis
• A reaction to blood transfusion
• Gallstones
• Anaemia
• Alcoholic liver disease
• Gilbert syndrome – a common, inherited condition of an enzyme deficiency which breaks down bilirubin

Your bilirubin level may again rise if you are involved in some kind of strenuous exercise, like marathon.

However, low bilirubin levels are not necessarily an issue. However, it must be noted that high bilirubin levels in newborns which do not return to normal within a few days or 2 weeks might lead to problems like:

• Lack of oxygen
• Liver disease
• An inherited infection
• Incompatible blood type between mother and child

Conclusion

If you to get a bilirubin blood test, feel free to contact us at Private Blood Tests London and get your blood test done by our expert professionals.