What causes high direct bilirubin?

The conjugated (direct) bilirubin level is often elevated by alcohol, infectious hepatitis, drug reactions, and autoimmune disorders. Posthepatic disorders also can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

What happens if bilirubin Direct is high?

A high level of bilirubin in the blood is known as hyperbilirubinemia. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice. Jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow, due to the brown and yellow bilirubin in the blood.

What does direct bilirubin indicate?

In adults, an elevated level of direct bilirubin typically points to a blockage or disease of the liver, bile ducts, or gallbladder. Possible diseases include: viral hepatitis, cancer of the liver, and alcoholic liver disease. Blockages are usually caused by gallstones, tumors, or scarring.

How do you treat high direct bilirubin?

However, following these four tips can help you boost overall liver health in addition to medical guidance.

1. Stay hydrated. Staying hydrated helps lower bilirubin levels by facilitating the removal of waste from the body.
2. Consume fresh fruits and vegetables.
3. Increase your intake of fiber.
4. Avoid alcohol.

What does high bilirubin in adults mean?

High levels of bilirubin could mean your liver is not functioning correctly. However, high levels can also be due to medications, exercise, or certain foods. Bilirubin is also a product of breakdown of red blood cells, and an elevated reading may be related to disorders of red blood cells and not liver disease.

What is the difference between bilirubin total and direct?

Bilirubin attached by the liver to glucuronic acid, a glucose-derived acid, is called direct, or conjugated, bilirubin. Bilirubin not attached to glucuronic acid is called indirect, or unconjugated, bilirubin. All the bilirubin in your blood together is called total bilirubin.

What is direct bilirubin normal range?

Normal Results A normal level is: Direct (also called conjugated) bilirubin: less than 0.3 mg/dL (less than 5.1 µmol/L) Total bilirubin: 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL (1.71 to 20.5 µmol/L)

What is considered high bilirubin levels in adults?

It forms after red blood cells break down, and it travels through your liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract before being excreted. Typically, bilirubin levels fall somewhere between 0.3 and 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Anything above 1.2 mg/dL is usually considered high.

What does elevated bilirubin mean in teenager?

Jaundice may not be apparent until adolescence. Bilirubin levels may increase following stress, exertion, dehydration alcohol consumption, fasting, and/or infection. In some individuals, jaundice may only be apparent when triggered by one of these conditions.

Should I worry about high bilirubin?

Lower than normal bilirubin levels are usually not a concern. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or disease. Higher than normal levels of direct bilirubin in your blood may indicate your liver isn’t clearing bilirubin properly. Elevated levels of indirect bilirubin may indicate other problems.

Can dehydration cause high bilirubin?

Bilirubin levels may increase with stress, strain, dehydration, fasting, infection or exposure to cold. In many individuals, jaundice is only evident when one of these triggers raises the bilirubin levels.

Is high bilirubin a sign of a serious condition?

It may be a sign of a serious condition. High bilirubin can lead to jaundice. A high level of bilirubin in the blood is known as hyperbilirubinemia. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice. Jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow, due to the brown and yellow bilirubin in the blood.

What is a normal direct bilirubin level in a child?

2. High direct Bilirubin level with normal or slightly elevated indirect bilirubin, commonly seen in results of obstructive jaundice due to hepatitis A for children or stones, for example: Direct bilirubin 7.5 mg/dl high, indirect bilirubin normal 0.6 mg/dl. Direct bilirubin 11.0 mg/dl high, indirect bilirubin slightly elevated 0.9 mg/dl. 3.

What is a high indindirect bilirubin level?

Indirect bilirubin 10.0 very high, slightly elevated direct bilirubin 0.5 mg/dl. 2. High direct Bilirubin level with normal or slightly elevated indirect bilirubin, commonly seen in results of obstructive jaundice due to hepatitis A for children or stones, for example: Direct bilirubin 7.5 mg/dl high, indirect bilirubin normal 0.6 mg/dl.

Why would my doctor order a bilirubin test?

Your doctor may order a bilirubin test if you: Show signs of jaundice Have anemia, or low red blood cells Might be having a toxic reaction to drugs