What does elevated bilirubin mean?

What does elevated bilirubin mean?

Bilirubin is an important metabolic product in the human body, mainly produced by the decomposition of aging red blood cells. When bilirubin levels are abnormally elevated, it may indicate health problems with the liver, biliary tract, or blood system. The following is a detailed analysis of elevated bilirubin.

1. Causes of elevated bilirubin

Elevated bilirubin is usually divided into two categories: direct bilirubin (conjugated bilirubin) and indirect bilirubin (unconjugated bilirubin). The reasons for the increase in different categories are different:

2. Symptoms of elevated bilirubin

Elevated bilirubin may be accompanied by the following symptoms:

3. Diagnosis and treatment of elevated bilirubin

If a physical examination reveals elevated bilirubin, further testing is recommended to determine the cause:

Treatment plans need to be tailored to the specific cause:

• Hepatitis or cirrhosis:Antiviral treatment, hepatoprotective drugs
• Biliary tract obstruction:Endoscopic stone removal or surgery to relieve obstruction
• Hemolytic anemia:Glucocorticoid or blood transfusion therapy

4. Recent hot health topics

Combined with the hot search data of the entire Internet in the past 10 days, the following health topics are related to bilirubin:

5. Prevention and daily suggestions

To prevent bilirubin abnormalities, please note:

1. Avoid drinking too much alcohol
2. Use hepatotoxic drugs with caution (such as acetaminophen)
3. Regular physical examination to monitor liver function
4. Seek medical attention promptly if jaundice occurs

Note: The data in this article comes from recent medical journals and authoritative health platforms. Please follow your doctor’s advice for specific diagnosis and treatment.