Elevated Bilirubin

Bilirubin is an orange-yellow compound produced as a result of red blood cell breakdown. Increased bilirubin levels are found in liver cirrhosis and cancer, jaundice, autoimmune hepatitis, biliary cholangitis, gall stones, Gilbert's syndrome, bile duct inflammation, hemolytic anemia, hepatitis, etc. Apart from these, symptoms of illness like fatigue, abdominal pain, fever, chest pain, chills, lightheadedness, nausea, vomiting, etc., also cause elevated bilirubin levels.

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Are elevated bilirubin and blood in urine complications of hereditary spherocytosis?

Query: Hi doctor, I have hereditary spherocytosis with snapping scapula and spermatocele. Before few weeks, I took some blood tests. I had elevated levels of bilirubin and low WBC levels. Yesterday, I took a urine sample and found a large amount of blood in my urine. Is this serious? Can I have a blood di...  Read Full »


Dr. Penchilaprasad Kandikattu

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Yes, it is a disorder that may cause an unstable RBC (red blood cells) membrane leading to produce spherical-shaped RBC. After passing through the spleen, it causes hemolysis. The common complications are anemia, jaundice, gall stones, folic acid deficiency, and aplasti...  Read Full »

What causes the bilirubin level to be 1.8 persistently?

Query: Hi doctor, I am suffering from jaundice for the last two months. One month before, my bilirubin level was 1.4. Before 15 days, the level was 1.2 and today 1.8. What is the reason for this change?  Read Full »


Dr. Happykumar Kagathara

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I can understand your concern for the continuous high bilirubin level. Before proving you appropriate guidance, I would like to know a few more details.I guess the reports mentioned by you are total bilirubin. What about direct, indirect bilirubin and liver enzymes (SG...  Read Full »

My newborn has a bilirubin level of 9.1. Is it a cause for concern?

Query: Hello doctor, My baby is 48 hours old now. Her bilirubin level is 9.1 mg/dL. Is it a cause for concern? Thank you.  Read Full »


Dr. Bhaisara Baraturam Bhagrati

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I will need more details to analyze the report. 1. What was the birth weight? 2. What is the blood group of the mother and baby? Usually, for a full-term baby with a birth weight of more than 3 kg, the mother's blood is not Rh negative or O Rh negative; it is cons...  Read Full »

What causes high bilirubin and stomach pain?

Query: Hello doctor, I am a 33-year-old female and I am fairly healthy and not overweight. I have been having constant nausea and stomach discomfort for several weeks now. I occasionally get a dull ache on the right side and feel full for a long time after eating. I am very worried what this could be. I h...  Read Full »


Dr. Anshul Varshney

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your symptoms are suggestive of jaundice and your report also suggests the same. I would need to know Since when are you having all these symptoms? When was this bilirubin test performed? Do you have any fever? How about alcohol consumption? For more ...  Read Full »

Why the bilirubin level is not decreasing after jaundice attack?

Query: Hello doctor, My father is 72 years old and he is suffering from jaundice. Initially, he was admitted to hospital five months back due to dengue and his platelet count had dropped down to 15,000. Now, he has recovered from dengue but his bilirubin is not decreasing. While getting discharged from the...  Read Full »


Dr. Penchilaprasad Kandikattu

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I saw the report (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and in your history, you did not mention about alcoholic history of your father. Is he hypertensive? Is he on any drugs? What about hepatitis A, B and E status? What about ultrasound abdomen status an...  Read Full »

My baby's bilirubin levels are above 21. Is he at risk for cerebral palsy?

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 unde...  Read Full »


Dr. Veerabhadrudu. K

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...  Read Full »

Other than hepatitis, what can cause increased bilirubin levels?

Query: Hello doctor, I have jaundice. My biliurubin was 7.5 three weeks ago. I went to the doctor for jaundice. Weekly blood tests as of three weeks show bilirubin has been increasing. Hep test shows I do not have hepatitis. Ultrasound says no tumor bile duct coverage or stones. I took a CT scan and the r...  Read Full »


Dr. Ajeet Kumar

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Well, your US (ultrasound) and CT (computed tomography) scan are normal which is kind of satisfying to me. Of course you suppose to have more blood tests to confirm the origin of this jaundice. Hepatitis, although common, but they are not the only one to cause live...  Read Full »

Why am I feeling nauseous always?

Query: Hello doctor, I am 31 years old and weigh about 51 kg. I am actually afraid to eat. I took a liver function test, my bilirubin total was 1.50, bilirubin direct 0.30 and bilirubin indirect 1.20. My triglycerides is 256. I feel nauseous all the time. Please suggest what to do? I am taking Pentate-D, ...  Read Full »


Dr. Babu Lal Meena

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Symptoms you have mentioned may occur due to liver disease, stomach problem or esophagus related. For differentiation in these entities, we need detail discussion by message or by phone. Apart from the discussion, your bilirubin is elevated but the liver function test ...  Read Full »

Bilirubin is high but other liver functions are normal. Should I worry?

Query: Hello doctor, I did blood tests and attached are the reports. Are they alright, or do I need to investigate further?  Read Full »


Dr. Singh Smrita

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have reviewed your test results (attachment removed to protect patient identity), and the only abnormality is high direct bilirubin. Higher than normal levels of direct bilirubin in your blood may indicate your liver is not clearing bilirubin properly. The most com...  Read Full »

What test should I undergo to rule out liver cirrhosis?

Query: Hello doctor, I am very concerned about my liver. I have a history of alcohol use of approximately two to four beers per night, approximately five nights per week for nearly 20 years. I am under total abstinence for the past one year. My symptoms are aching pain in the back on the right side under...  Read Full »


Dr. Sandeep V. Nair

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.Given the amount of alcohol that you are taking and the duration you have taken, it is likely that you can develop cirrhosis. But the development of cirrhosis is a gradual process, and it takes a long time before it is evident on the tests.Fibroscan is a useful modality to ...  Read Full »

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