Total Bilirubin

The blood analysis for total bilirubin is used to evaluate the condition of the hepatobiliary system, including the hepatobiliary ducts and hepatocellular structure. This test provides information about the total concentration of bilirubin in the blood, which helps in diagnosing liver damage, bile duct issues, or other conditions that may affect bilirubin metabolism. As part of other biochemical blood analyses, IntroLab laboratory in Belgrade also offers this analysis.

What is bilirubin?

Bilirubin is an orange-yellow pigment that is a byproduct of the breakdown of heme, a component of hemoglobin present in red blood cells. The liver plays a crucial role in the metabolism of bilirubin for its excretion from the body. Blood analysis of bilirubin is useful for assessing liver function and diagnosing hemolytic anemias that result from the breakdown of red blood cells.

In the bodies of healthy adults, a small amount of bilirubin (about 250 to 300 mg) is produced daily. Most of the bilirubin (85%) comes from the breakdown of erythrocytes and hemoglobin, while the remaining part originates from the bone marrow or liver.

What do elevated levels of total bilirubin in the blood indicate?

Increased levels of bilirubin in the blood usually manifest through the appearance of jaundice, characterized by a yellow coloration of the skin and sclera. An increase in indirect bilirubin in circulation can be due to liver immaturity or other diseases that affect the bilirubin conjugation mechanism, such as hemolysis or liver cirrhosis. When the liver is unable to efficiently transport bilirubin to the gallbladder for excretion, levels of direct bilirubin rise. Obstruction of bile ducts or damage to hepatocellular structure leads to an increase in both direct and indirect bilirubin levels in the circulation.