Occasionally, higher bilirubin levels may be caused by an increased rate of destruction of red blood cells hemolysis. Bilirubin testing is usually done as part of a group of tests to check the health of your liver. Bilirubin testing may be done to:.
Bilirubin testing is done using a blood sample. Usually, the blood is drawn through a small needle inserted into a vein in the bend of your arm. A small tube is attached to the needle to collect the blood.
You may feel a quick pain as the needle is inserted into your arm and experience some short-term discomfort at the site after the needle is removed. Blood for bilirubin testing in newborns is usually obtained using a sharp lancet to break the skin of the heel heel stick. There may be slight bruising at the puncture site afterward. Your blood will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. You can usually return to normal activities immediately.
Bilirubin test results are expressed as direct, indirect or total bilirubin. Total bilirubin is a combination of direct and indirect bilirubin. Typically, you'll get results for direct and total bilirubin. Normal results for a total bilirubin test are 1. Normal results for direct bilirubin are generally 0. These results may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. Follow your healthcare provider's instructions about not eating or drinking before the test.
Ask your provider if there is anything else you should do to get ready for this test. Tell your provider about all medicines, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking. This includes medicines that don't need a prescription and any illegal drugs you may use. Search Encyclopedia. Total Bilirubin Blood Does this test have other names? Total serum bilirubin, TSB What is this test?
Why do I need this test? Symptoms include: Yellowish skin or eyes jaundice Stomach pain Dark urine Light colored stool Flu-like symptoms, such as fever and chills You may also have your bilirubin level tested regularly if you are being treated for liver disease. What other tests might I have along with this test? What do my test results mean? How is the test done? Does this test pose any risks? What might affect my test results?
How do I get ready for this test? The eyes are usually affected most. Some people also report other problems during episodes of jaundice, including:. But these problems are not necessarily thought to be directly related to increased bilirubin levels, and could indicate a condition other than Gilbert's syndrome.
Around 1 in 3 people with Gilbert's syndrome do not experience any symptoms at all. You may not realise you have the syndrome until tests for an unrelated problem are carried out. The jaundice of Gilbert's syndrome is usually mild, but jaundice can be associated with more serious liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C.
It's important to seek immediate medical advice from a GP if you have jaundice. If you have been diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome, you do not usually need to seek medical advice during an episode of jaundice, unless you have additional or unusual symptoms. People with the syndrome have a faulty gene, which causes the liver to have problems removing bilirubin from the blood. Normally, when red blood cells reach the end of their life after about days , haemoglobin, the red pigment that carries oxygen in the blood, breaks down into bilirubin.
The liver converts bilirubin into a water-soluble form, which passes into bile a fluid produced by the liver to help with digestion and is eventually removed from the body in pee or poo. In Gilbert's syndrome, the faulty gene means bilirubin is not passed into bile at the normal rate.
Instead, it builds up in the bloodstream, giving the skin and white of the eyes a yellowish tinge. Other than inheriting the faulty gene, there are no known risk factors for developing Gilbert's syndrome.
It's not related to lifestyle habits, environmental factors or serious underlying liver problems, such as cirrhosis or hepatitis C.
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