iCliniq Logo
HomeAnswersInternal Medicinebilirubin

Why is the bilirubin level not decreasing after jaundice?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

My father is 72 years old, and he is suffering from jaundice. Initially, he was admitted to the hospital five months back due to dengue, and his platelet count had dropped to 15,000. Now, he has recovered from dengue, but his bilirubin is not decreasing.

While getting discharged from the hospital, the bilirubin count was 17.64 mg/dl. It had dropped down to 8.33, but later, it got increased to 10.33, and the current count is 9.74.

The doctor has prescribed him Silymarin 140 mg, Ursocol 300 mg, Pantocid 40 mg, A-Z vitamin, and Duphalac. How can I help my father to recover quickly from jaundice?

Kindly assist.

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I saw the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and in your history, you did not mention your father's alcohol history. Is he hypertensive? Is he on any drugs? What about hepatitis A, B, and E status? What about the ultrasound abdomen status and urine examination?

The possibilities are:

  1. Dengue hepatitis.
  2. Concurrent infection with dengue and hepatitis A.
  3. Alcoholic hepatitis with hypoproteinemia.
  4. Hemolytic jaundice.

It will take time to recover in old age with anemia. It may decrease immunity status and thus, will take more time to recover. Continue the above medications and get an ultrasound of the abdomen, serum LDH (lactate dehydrogenase), Hb, and viral markers status tests done.

Please consult your doctor. He will examine and treat you accordingly.

Revert in case of doubts.

Thank you.

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

The test which you have asked for are all negative. The consultant doctor had told me about chronic liver disease and fatty liver, as my father used to drink every day, but it has been more than a decade since he stopped drinking alcohol.

Why is the bilirubin count sometimes increasing and sometimes decreasing?

Kindly suggest.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, alcoholic patients are prone to developing fatty liver disease. This fat accumulation leads to liver hepatitis. Then, this may lead to cirrhosis of the liver.

I do not know the stage of fatty liver, but the underlying fatty liver/chronic liver disease with dengue may be more prone to developing high bilirubin with liver cell failure. At the same time, meet a gastroenterologist and continue the above medicine with a low salt diet, avoid a non-vegetarian diet, and eat fruits with a fiber diet. Let him pass stools at least 2 to 3 times a day.

I hope it helps.

Please let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed byiCliniq medical review team

Published At February 24, 2018
Reviewed AtMay 19, 2026

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Listen to related tracks in our music library

Ask your health query to a doctor online

*guaranteed answer within 4 hours

Disclaimer: No content published on this website is intended to be a substitute for professional medical diagnosis, advice or treatment by a trained physician. Seek advice from your physician or other qualified healthcare providers with questions you may have regarding your symptoms and medical condition for a complete medical diagnosis. Do not delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice because of something you have read on this website. Read our Editorial Process to know how we create content for health articles and queries.