Bilirubin is a yellow substance present in the blood, and it is formed after the breakdown of red blood cells. After that, it travels to the liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract before excretion. The normal bilirubin ranges from 0.3 to 1.2 mg/dL. It serves as an antioxidant and helps in the excretion of waste products produced from the destruction of abnormal red blood cells.
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My newborn baby was found to have high bilirubin. Kindly advice.
Query: Hi doctor, Our newborn baby was found to have serum bilirubin 20 and direct 18 on the 4th day. Kindly suggest appropriate advice. If we are going for photo therapy, then which light is better? Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. 1. Serum bilirubin of 20 is high for the baby. The value of 18 mg/dL should be indirect bilirubin, because indirect bilirubin is increased in most cases. If direct bilirubin is so much, then the treatment is different. 2. If it is in... Read Full »
I have grade one fatty liver. How to improve my health?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 33 year old male. Recently, I went for a master checkup. To my horror, I found my liver reports abnormal. I have attached my reports for your reference. The ultrasound of abdomen revealed grade-I fatty changes in liver. Apart from this, my triglycerides levels are also elevated. My... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. It is good to get routine checkup (attachment removed to protect patient identity) and you got your problem identified earlier. Fatty changes are not good thing. It may lead to cirrhosis. Mild elevation of unconjugated bilirubin suggests syndromes association or h... Read Full »
I have abnormal bilirubin levels but no symptoms. Why?
Query: Hi doctor, I am a 26 year old male, and I am a triathlete. Seven years back, I suffered from jaundice. I check my blood bilirubin every six months and liver function test every year. The result showed abnormal bilirubin level; the total bilirubin was 3.5. The LFT was normal. I also got an ultrasound... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can imagine that you are concerned about your liver. I understand that you do not have any discomfort and ultrasound is normal. Your test result is compatible with a harmless condition named Gilbert's syndrome. In this syndrome, a pigment named bilirubin is no... Read Full »
My baby has high bilirubin levels. Are there any risks?
Query: Hello doctor, I was recently blessed with a baby boy. This week, I just took him to the hospital to check if he had jaundice, as he seemed too sleepy and the bilirubin levels came to 21.80 on the eighth day. I do not know at which rate the levels were being raised. The doctor immediately put him und... Read Full »
Answer: Hello doctor, Welcome to icliniq.com. I understand the situation you are going through. Yes, it is definitely a high level of bilirubin. There will be proper guidelines laid down regarding the management of jaundice in newborn which doctors will follow. If the levels are too high and fall in the exc... Read Full »
Why is bilirubin level 1.4 for three months?
Query: Hi doctor, Three months back, I started feeling feverish, but thermometer readings were normal. I went to a doctor and he ran a series of tests. Everything came out fine, except mild hepatomegaly and elevated conjugated bilirubin. My bilirubin is elevated consistently for the past three months (tota... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your laboratory reports (attachments removed to protect patient identity). All values are excellent, except total bilirubin which is at upper normal level which could be due to fatty liver. I would suggest you to avoid fatty and spicy foods as well as... Read Full »
My bilirubin level is 1.7 with no symptoms of jaundice. Why?
Query: Hello doctor, My bilirubin level is 1.7 (mg/dl), but I do not have any symptoms of jaundice. How can I bring the bilirubin level to normal? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Well, there are certain medications that can bring bilirubin down but your bilirubin is 1.7 (mg/dl) which is within normal limits. It does not require any treatment. The possible cause of asymptomatic small raised bilirubin is Gilbert syndrome which is completely ha... Read Full »
My 9-day-old baby has high bilirubin levels. Please suggest.
Query: Hello doctor, Our baby boy was born 9 days ago. Mom and the infant, both have B plus blood group. His weight at the time of birth was 6.68 lbs. After five days, his bilirubin level was 13.06. Today, the bilirubin level was 15.36. Our doctor advised vitamin D3 oral dose for one year. What is your sug... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concerns. 1. Your child is now 9 days old. Since, both mother and child have same blood group, there are less chances of pathological hyperbilirubinemia. 2. On the 9th day of life, the bilirubin level of 15.36 does not require phototherapy ... Read Full »
I have shoulder pain. Is it because of my liver function?
Query: Hi doctor,I sometimes get shoulder pain. I consume alcohol once a week. I am attaching my LFT report, please advice. My bilirubin direct is 0.10 mg/dL, bilirubin indirect is 0.5 mg/dL, SGOT is 35 U/L, SGPT is 79 U/L, and ALP is 68 U/L. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your reports (attachment removed to protect patient identity) are normal. Liver functions should be elevated three times the normal to be clinically significant. All your reports are perfectly normal. The liver is normal and the shoulder pain has nothing to do with your g... Read Full »
My baby has jaundice. Will breastfeeding help?
Query: Hi doctor, Our baby is 16 days old and is suffering from jaundice. Both mom and son have same B positive blood group. TSH level is normal and vitamin D oral drop is given. I have attached the bilirubin test report for your reference. Does breastfeeding affect jaundice in any way? Please advise us. T... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have seen the reports that you have attached (attachment removed to protect patient identity). 1. It is day 16 of the baby. Bilirubin levels have increased to 15 and it is mainlyindirect bilirubinemia. 2. Thyroid-stimulating hormone levels are normal, so hypot... Read Full »
Kindly suggest foods to lower the bilirubin level.
Query: Hi doctor, My total bilirubin is 1.5 mg/dL. What foods and vegetables are taken to lower the bilirubin level? I am taking the Pantop tablet, Mecobalamin 1500 mcg, and Calcium tablets. Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. For a few days, fatty foods should be avoided. Strictly avoid junk foods like pizza and burgers. You are advised to take a rest. Taking a light meal with frequent intervals is advisable. I suggest you investigate with a USG (ultrasonogram) abdomen scan, SGPT (alanine am... Read Full »
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