Bilirubin Blood Test
Sourced reference. This entry is compiled from MedlinePlus and is reproduced for reference rather than written by eMed7. Reference ranges differ between laboratories — always read a result against the range printed on your own report.
A bilirubin blood test measures the levels of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance made during your body's normal process of breaking down old red blood cells. Bilirubin is found in bile, a fluid your liver makes to help you digest food.
If your liver is healthy, it will remove most of the bilirubin from your body through your bile ducts (the tubes that carry bile from your liver). If your liver is damaged or your bile ducts are blocked, bilirubin can leak out of your liver and into your blood. When too much bilirubin gets into the bloodstream, it can cause jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow.
If you have jaundice, your health care provider may order a bilirubin blood test to check for liver disease or damage. Bilirubin is usually tested with a blood test but can also be tested in your urine.
Why this test is done
Your health care provider may order a bilirubin blood test:
- If you have symptoms such as jaundice, dark urine, clay-colored stool (poop), or stomach pain. These could indicate hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other liver diseases.
- To find out if there is a blockage in your bile ducts.
- To monitor an existing liver disease.
- To diagnose disorders related to your body breaking down red blood cells too quickly. For example, high bilirubin levels in the bloodstream may be a sign of hemolytic anemia. This condition happens when your body destroys red blood cells faster than it makes them.
How to prepare
Your provider may tell you to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your blood test. You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take. But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.
Your provider will let you know if there are any other special instructions.
Sample type
Blood
Other names for this test
Total serum bilirubin, TSB total bilirubin, TBIL neonatal bilirubin, direct bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, indirect bilirubin, unconjugated bilirubin
Full library entry
Reference ranges, sample type, and citations for this marker.
Open in the biomarker librarySources
- ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470290— MedlinePlus
- nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/hemolytic-anemia— MedlinePlus
- niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gallstones/symptoms-causes— MedlinePlus
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Educational content only. This entry describes what a test measures and how published reference ranges are defined. It is not a diagnosis, does not interpret your personal results, and is not a substitute for a qualified doctor.