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Bilirubin Total Serum
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Bilirubin Test Overview
Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment that is made by breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin. Major production comes from break down of red blood cells. In blood this bilirubin is unconjugated (indirect) and cannot be excreted in urine or bile but can pass through placenta and into brain. In liver it is conjugated (direct) which can now be excreted in bile. A total bilirubin test measures both bilirubin components present in the blood.
Testing for bilirubin is conducted as a part of a group test. It is done to assess the conditions of the liver. The bilirubin pigment is created by the breakdown of red blood cells. The same is passed through the liver. It is then excreted from the body. Let us understand the pigment of bilirubin and the bilirubin total serum test.
What is Bilirubin?
Bilirubin is an orange-yellow pigment. It occurs in the human body. It normally occurs when there is a breakdown of haemoglobin and myoglobin in the body. Haemoglobin is the protein in the red blood cells. It transports oxygen to organs and tissues in your body. It carries carbon dioxide back to the lungs.
Myoglobin on the other hand is the protein. It is found mainly in muscle tissue. Here, myoglobin plays a role as an intracellular storage site for oxygen. However, the major production of bilirubin in you occurs from the disintegration of the red blood cells.
Primarily, the liver is responsible for taking bilirubin in its direct form. The liver then breaks down the bilirubin into bile for being excreted by the body. In the unconjugated or indirect form, bilirubin cannot be passed away from the human body as bile or urine. Rather it makes its way to the brain via your placenta.
A total bilirubin test measures the presence of both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin in your blood.
Written by: Dr.Shibani R, Medical Writer, Medical Affairs
Bilirubin Total Serum Price
Metropolis Healthcare is a leading diagnostics centre and pathology lab in India equipped with the latest state-of-the-art technologies that provides the Bilirubin Total Serum with a clear pricing structure.
The Bilirubin Total Serum Price in Mumbai is ₹ 230 .
We are committed to deliver accurate and quality results from the best labs in India with complete transparency regarding test cost and turnaround time. No matter where you are, we strive to offer patients high-quality service that is affordable and accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Total bilirubin test is offered to patients with jaundice. Along with conjugated and unconjugated results it can help identify the cause of jaundice. It also helps in evaluating patients with anaemia due to increased destruction of RBC.
It is also used to monitor neonates on phototherapy.
A bilirubin total serum test is done to:
- To investigate the health conditions of individuals suffering from jaundice. Jaundice is a condition caused by high levels of bilirubin. It leads to the yellowing of the eyes and skin.
- To determine bilirubin levels in neonates. This test is used to monitor them in conditions requiring phototherapy.
- To identify anaemic conditions in patients by the value of total bilirubin levels. This is because they may go up with the increase in the destruction of RBCs.
- To examine blockage in bile ducts, in the gallbladder or the liver.
- To investigate suspected drug toxicity
- To detect the presence of liver diseases such as hepatitis. It is also done to evaluate their progression.
Bilirubin test measures the level of bilirubin in the blood. Total bilirubin usually measures both the direct (conjugated) and the indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin in the blood.
The Bilirubin total serum test evaluates the overall levels of the element bilirubin in your blood. To arrive at the Total bilirubin results, the serum test measures the level of conjugated (direct) and unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin in the blood.
During Bilirubin Test blood sample is taken from a vein in your arm, using a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood will be collected into a test tube or vial. You may feel a little sting when the needle goes in or out. This usually takes less than five minutes. In new-borns the blood is taken from the skin behind the heel.
High total bilirubin levels can be caused by increase in destruction of RBC, liver diseases and obstruction in biliary tract.
Liver diseases: Cirrhosis, ascites, hepatitis, or certain drug toxicities
Destruction of RBC: Sickle cell or other types of haemolytic anaemia, drugs, G6PD deficiency
blockage of bile or pancreatic duct
The presence of a high level of total bilirubin in your sample occurs when there is an increase in the destruction of RBCs by your body. In other conditions, high levels of bilirubin may occur in case of liver diseases and obstruction in the biliary tract.
The liver diseases that cause the presence or absence of total bilirubin include health conditions such as cirrhosis, ascites, and hepatitis. Also, consumption of certain drug toxicities may lead to variation from the normal levels in the test.
In case of variation from the normal levels as a result of the destruction of RBC, the test results point towards the presence of sickle cell or other types of haemolytic anaemia. It may also suggest G6PD (Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase) deficiency, blockage of the pancreatic or bile duct, or drugs.
The patients showing symptoms related to jaundice, cirrhosis, hepatitis and anaemia should get the test done. Also, in case you are facing a toxic reaction due to a certain drug that you have taken, the test can be done.
Apart from the conditions mentioned above, the test may be taken by an individual if they are showing symptoms of fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. The change in colour of urine and stool is also a sign for you to take a bilirubin total serum test.
Yes, it is recommended to fast (no food or water intake) for at least 4 to 5 hours before the bilirubin test. As many drugs can affect the bilirubin level in the blood, your doctor may instruct you to skip the medicine too before the test.
Yes, several studies suggest that bilirubin levels increase after eating.
The safe bilirubin levels fall between 0.3 and 1.0 mg/dL. Any reading above 1.2 mg/dL is considered elevated and a reading greater than 20 mg/dL indicates severe liver disease.
- Showing symptoms of jaundice
- Having low red blood cells or anaemia
- Exposure to hepatitis viruses
- Toxic reaction due to drugs
- Dark urine
- History of heavy alcoholic drinking
- Vomiting or nausea
- Change in stool colour (clay)
- Diagnosed with cirrhosis
- Fatigue
Total Bilirubin
Bilirubin
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