Table of Contents
Why is my bilirubin always slightly elevated?
Higher than normal levels of bilirubin may indicate different types of liver or bile duct problems. Occasionally, higher bilirubin levels may be caused by an increased rate of destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis).
What diseases cause an elevation of both direct and indirect bilirubin?
Hepatitis. Your liver can become inflamed for different reasons, such as infection with hepatitis virus, and excessive drug or alcohol use. When liver cells are damaged from hepatitis, the liver may release both indirect and direct bilirubin into the bloodstream. This causes higher levels.
What happens if you can’t break down bilirubin?
What is Gilbert’s syndrome? Gilbert’s syndrome is an inherited liver condition in which your liver can’t fully process a compound called bilirubin. Your liver breaks down old red blood cells into compounds, including bilirubin, which are released in feces and urine.
Does cirrhosis cause elevated bilirubin?
In liver cirrhosis, portal blood flow is distorted accompanied by a decrease in hepatic clearance of bilirubin. In addition, portosystemic shunting as well as splenomegaly results in an increase in hemolysis and production of bilirubin.
What is mildly high bilirubin?
Typically, bilirubin levels fall somewhere between 0.3 and 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Anything above 1.2 mg/dL is usually considered high. The condition of having high bilirubin levels is called hyperbilirubinemia.
What happens if total bilirubin is high?
A high level of bilirubin in the blood is known as hyperbilirubinemia. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice. Jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow, due to the brown and yellow bilirubin in the blood.
What does direct bilirubin indicate?
All of the bilirubin in our body together is called “total” bilirubin. “Direct” or “conjugated” bilirubin indicates that a sugar has been attached to it. “Indirect” or “unconjugated” bilirubin indicates the absence of a sugar.
What are the side effects of high bilirubin?
What are the symptoms of high bilirubin?
- abdominal pain or swelling.
- chills.
- fever.
- chest pain.
- weakness.
- lightheadedness.
- fatigue.
- nausea.
How do I lower my bilirubin levels?
To lower bilirubin levels, you should drink lots of water, avoid alcohol, eat fruits and vegetables, and increase your fiber intake.