Jaundice Due to Elevated Bilirubin Levels

Bilirubin is one of the most essential element of the body. Bilirubin is created from hemoglobin found in our blood and other

haem (technically iron) molecules in the presence of the enzymes haem oxygenase and biliverdin reductase.

The haem is broken down in liver where it gets secreted as bile. Higher or raised bilirubin levels in some diseases are accountable for the yellow color of discolorations and the brown colored feces. Bilirubin is condensed in the gastro intestinal tract to produce urobilinogen that is excreted there. Bilirubin forage free radicals and other reactive oxygen species and protects tissues against oxidation.

Bilirubin subsists in the insoluble form as un-conjugated bilirubin or indirect bilirubin, or bound to glucuronic acid to form conjugated bilirubin or direct bilirubin. The indirect form is altered into a soluble or direct form in the liver.

Total and direct bilirubin levels are assessable from the blood, but indirect bilirubin is evaluated from the total and direct bilirubin. Results are scheduled as "BU" for un-conjugated bilirubin and "BC" for conjugated bilirubin. Total bilirubin measures both BU and BC. Indirect bilirubin count: 0.3 to 1.9 mg/dL

Jaundice is the most widespread disease that occurs due to elevated bilirubin levels. It can be seen in the sclera (white of the eye) at levels over 30 to 50 μ mol/l and in the skin at greater levels. Jaundice

is typed into conjugated jaundice and un-conjugated jaundice, depending on whether the bilirubin is liberated or conjugated to glucuronic acid. A rise in un conjugated bilirubin imply hepatic jaundice and is cured medically, where as a increase in conjugated bilirubin point out posthepatic jaundice, a state that may necessitate bile duct surgery or therapeutic endoscopy. Physiologic jaundice in the new born babies are result of the im-mature liver's absence of conjugating enzymes.

Raised indirect or total bilirubin count depicts the existence of Hemolytic anemia, sickle cell anemia or pernicious anemia, Transfusion reaction, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, Erythroblastosis fetalis, Physiological jaundice, Gilbert's disease, Hemolytic sickness of the new born or healing of a large hematoma. The normal levels for indirect bilirubin are 0.3 to 1.9 mg/dL.
Raised direct bilirubin may be a indication of Cirrhosis, Bile duct block, Hepatitis, Dubin-Johnson syndrome or Intrahepatic cholestasis. The standard levels for direct bilirubin is 0 to 0.3 mg/dL

High bilirubin levels (hyperbilirubinemia) in a new born baby can lead to brain injury, hearing loss, tribulations with the muscles that move the eye, physical aberrations and can be fatal. Babies who develop jaundice may be treated with special therapy of light known as phototherapy or by blood transfusion to reduce their bilirubin levels in the body. Adults should be restricted from consuming alcohol and easting anything prior to 4 hours of total bilirubin test.