Are your eyes turning yellow? Let's learn about the bilirubin test.

Have you ever seen a newborn baby with a slightly yellow skin? Or an adult with a yellow eye? We often call this 'yellow fever'. The main reason for this yellow skin is an increase in the level of bilirubin in the body. So today we will talk about what bilirubin is, why it is important for our body, and everything about the bilirubin test that is done to find out about it.

Simply put, what is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is something that our bodies produce all the time. It's an orange-yellow pigment. Think about it, the red blood cells in our bodies also have a certain lifespan. When these red blood cells break down after a while, bilirubin is produced as a byproduct of that process.

So the bilirubin that is formed in this way goes to our liver through the blood. The liver is the super purification center in our body. What the liver does is take this bilirubin, change its chemical nature, and prepare it in a way that it can be excreted from our body. This prepared bilirubin is combined with bile and passes through the intestines, and finally comes out with feces.

That problem could be something like this:

• Your red blood cells may be breaking down faster than normal.
• Your liver may not be working properly and may not be able to properly process this bilirubin waste product.
• Or, there could be a blockage somewhere along the path from the liver to the outside with the stool.

Why do we need to do a bilirubin test?

Doctors use this test to diagnose several conditions and monitor the progress of the disease during treatment. It is especially helpful in adults and children to diagnose:

• Liver and gallbladder diseases: Liver diseases like cirrhosis, hepatitis, and conditions like gallstones.
• Anemia: There are some types of anemia, for example, hemolytic anemia. This is when red blood cells are destroyed faster than they are produced. This test is also important to identify such conditions.
• Jaundice: As we discussed earlier, when bilirubin levels in the body increase, the skin and eyes turn yellow. This is called jaundice. This test is essential to find the cause of this condition.

High bilirubin levels are very common in newborns. Doctors will determine whether treatment is needed based on the baby's age, type, and level of bilirubin.

How is this test done?

There are two main ways to measure bilirubin levels. One is through a urine test, and the other is through a blood test. A typical urine test (Urine Full Report) looks for bilirubin. If your urine test shows bilirubin, your doctor will order a blood test to measure the exact amount in your blood.

Bilirubin is usually tested with a blood sample. A nurse or lab technician will take a small amount of blood from a vein in your arm using a small needle. For newborns, blood is usually taken by pricking the skin on the heel with a small needle. This blood sample is sent to a laboratory for testing.

In addition, there is another painless method, especially for young babies. It is called Transcutaneous Bilirubin Measurement . In this, the doctor places a small device on your chest or head and uses it to measure bilirubin levels by sending a high-speed beam of light through the skin. This does not require a needle.

How should you prepare before the test?

You may be advised not to eat or drink anything for 4 hours before the blood test. Also, your doctor may advise you to temporarily stop taking certain medications before the test, as they can affect the test results. It is very important to tell your doctor about all medications you are taking.

• Medications that can increase bilirubin levels: Some antibiotics, malaria drugs, morphine, birth control pills, and some steroids.
• Drugs that can lower bilirubin levels: barbiturates, caffeine, penicillin, and high-dose salicylates.

What does the test report say?

A bilirubin test report mainly includes three parts.

1. Total Bilirubin: This is the total amount of bilirubin in the blood.

2. Unconjugated (Indirect) Bilirubin: This is the "raw" bilirubin that is formed when red blood cells break down and has not yet been processed by the liver.

3. Conjugated (Direct) Bilirubin: This is "processed" bilirubin that has been taken to the liver, chemically changed, and prepared for excretion from the body.

What are the normal levels?

• Adults (over 18 years of age): Total bilirubin levels are normal up to 1.2 milligrams per deciliter of blood (1.2 mg/dl). Conjugated (Direct) bilirubin levels should be less than 0.3 mg/dl.
• Newborn babies: Their bilirubin levels can be as high as 12 mg/dl.

Generally, bilirubin levels in men are slightly higher than in women.

What does a high bilirubin level mean?

If an adult's bilirubin level is more than 2.0 mg/dl, it is a sign of jaundice. If a newborn's level is more than 15 mg/dl, doctors recommend treatment.

Things that can cause high bilirubin levels:

• Anemia
• Cirrhosis of the liver
• A reaction to a blood transfusion
• Gilbert Syndrome - This is a common hereditary condition in which an enzyme that helps break down bilirubin is lacking.
• Viral Hepatitis
• Alcoholic liver disease
• Gallstones

Additionally, engaging in very strenuous exercise , such as running a marathon, can temporarily increase bilirubin levels.

Should you worry about a low bilirubin level?

Low bilirubin levels are not usually considered a problem. Caffeine or certain medications can cause low levels. Rarely, it has been linked to certain autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis, but this is not usually a cause for concern.

It can usually take a few hours or a day to get the test results. Once you get the results, it's important to talk to your doctor about what they mean and what steps you should take.

Bilirubin test, jaundice, liver disease, blood test, cirrhosis