Bilirubin

Its Uses:

In adults or older children, bilirubin is measured to diagnose and/or monitor liver diseases, such as cirrhosis, hepatitis, or gallstones. Patients with sickle cell disease or other causes of hemolytic anemia may have episodes where excessive RBC destruction takes place, increasing bilirubin levels.

A bilirubin level may be ordered when a patient:

• *shows evidence of jaundice
• * has a history of drinking excessive amounts of alcohol
• * has suspected drug toxicity
• * has been exposed to hepatitis viruses

Other symptoms that may be present include:

• * dark, amber-colored urine
• * nausea/vomiting
• * abdominal pain and/or swelling
• * fatigue and general malaise that often accompany chronic liver disease

Diagnostic Significance

Increased levels may indicate:

• •    Increased levels can indicate gallstones
• •    Extrahepatic duct obstruction
• •    Extensive liver mets
• •    Cholestasis secondary to medications
• •    Dublin-Johnson syndrome
• •    Rotor syndrome

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