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Bilirubin
Updated: Nov 18, 2019
Author: Mohammad Wehbi, MD; Chief Editor: Eric B Staros, MD

Reference Range
Bilirubin is a tetrapyrrole and a breakdown product of heme catabolism. Most bilirubin (70%-90%) is derived from hemoglobin
degradation and, to a lesser extent, from other hemo proteins. In the serum, bilirubin is usually measured as both direct bilirubin
(DBil) and total-value bilirubin (TBil).[1]

Direct bilirubin correlates with conjugated bilirubin but tends to overestimate actual conjugated bilirubin, as it includes both the
conjugated bilirubin and bilirubin covalently bound to albumin (delta-bilirubin). Indirect bilirubin correlates with unconjugated
bilirubin but tends to underestimate unconjugated bilirubin, as a portion of the unconjugated bilirubin reacts with diazosulfanilic
acid, producing azobilirubin, which is measured as direct bilirubin.

Normal findings

Adult/elderly/child[2] :

Total bilirubin: 0.3-1.0 mg/dL or 5.1-17 μmol/L (SI units)

Newborn[2] :

Total bilirubin: 1.0-12.0 mg/dL or 17.1-205 μmol/L (SI units)

Possible critical values

Total bilirubin[2] :

Adult: >12 mg/dL

Interpretation
Elevated bilirubin levels (>2.5-3 mg/dL) cause jaundice and can be classified into different anatomical sites of pathology:
prehepatic (increased bilirubin production), hepatic (liver dysfunction), or posthepatic (duct obstruction).

Another way of approaching hyperbilirubinemia is to divide it into two general categories: unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia and
conjugated hyperbilirubinemia. The prevalence of hyperbilirubinemia varies depending on the cause.

Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia is common in individuals with hepatocellular injuries and biliary obstruction and is also common
in persons with sepsis. Some of the inherited diseases associated with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia are estimated to affect
4%-13% of the US population, while Dubin-Johnson syndrome (DJS) is rare except in Iranian Jews, in whom the prevalence is
about 1 in 1300.[3]

Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia is common in newborns and is likely related to a higher hematocrit (50%-60%) with increased
cell turnover (the average lifespan of a red cell is about 85 days in the neonate) combined with decreased uridine
diphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) activity. One study found that up to 6.1% of neonates had unconjugated
bilirubin levels higher than 12.9 mg/dL. Breastfeeding was more common in neonates with higher levels of unconjugated
hyperbilirubin.[4, 5]

Causes of unconjugated and conjugated hyperbilirubinemia are discussed below.

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Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Increased bilirubin production via hemolysis and dyserythropoiesis

Increased destruction of red blood cells (hemolysis) can increase the production of unconjugated bilirubin.

Ineffective erythropoiesis is another cause of increased unconjugated bilirubin production that involves rapid hemoglobin
turnover and destruction of a fraction of developing erythroid cells within the bone marrow. The percentage of bilirubin
production from this mechanism can reach 70% in dyserythropoiesis disorders such as thalassemia major, megaloblastic
anemia, congenital erythropoietic porphyria, and lead poisoning.

If the production of unconjugated bilirubin is prolonged, it can precipitate bilirubin salts, leading to the formation of gallstones.

Treatment is aimed at managing the underlying disease process.

Decreased hepatic clearance

Decreased hepatic clearance may be caused by congestive heart failure, cirrhosis/portosystemic shunts, and/or certain drugs.

Impaired delivery of bilirubin to the liver in conditions such as congestive heart failure or in patients with portosystemic shunts
can decrease the hepatic bilirubin uptake by the liver. Occasionally, cirrhosis can cause unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, as
hepatic fibrosis leads to capillarization of the sinusoids, causing decreased bilirubin uptake by hepatocytes. Treatment includes
treating the underlying condition.

Drugs such as rifamycin, rifampin, probenecid, flavaspidic acid, and bunamiodyl inhibit bilirubin uptake, which can be reversed
upon cessation of these drugs.[6]

Defective bilirubin conjugation

Inherited disorders associated with defective bilirubin conjugation include Crigler-Najjar syndrome types I and II and Gilbert
syndrome. Ethinyl estradiol and hyperthyroidism are also associated with defective bilirubin conjugation. Crigler-Najjar
syndrome is a very rare autosomal-recessive disorder caused by an alteration of the coding region of the gene responsible for
producing bilirubin-UGT, which normally conjugates bilirubin. This results in the production of an abnormal protein, which can
cause a complete or near loss of function (type I) or a very low level of function (type II).

Individuals with type I Crigler-Najjar syndrome usually present with very high levels of unconjugated hyperbilirubin at birth,
resulting in kernicterus. Treatment involves emergent plasma exchange to treat kernicterus followed by regular phototherapy. If
left untreated, type I is fatal by about age two years. Patients with type II may not require any therapy or may be treated with
phenobarbital, which can induce the expression of UGT. Patients with type I do not respond to phenobarbital, as the mutation is
a loss-of-function mutation.

Gilbert syndrome has also decreased UGT activity (typically 10%-33% of normal), but results from a mutation in the promoter
region and therefore decreased levels of a normal protein are produced. Gilbert syndrome is completely benign and has no
effect on life expectancy. Therefore, management is centered on reassurance, and no medical therapy is indicated.

Multifactorial etiologies

Chronic hepatitis is also associated with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Hepatitis

Hepatitis (viral, alcoholic, autoimmune) is associated with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Liver infiltration

The following diseases may lead to liver infiltration, potentially resulting in conjugated hyperbilirubinemia:

Amyloidosis

Lymphoma

Sarcoidosis

Tuberculosis

Biliary obstruction
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Biliary obstruction may be caused by the following:

Malignancies (cholangiocarcinoma, pancreatic cancer)

Chronic pancreatitis (pseudocysts, stricture)

Acute pancreatitis

Primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC; discussed further below)

Choledocholithiasis

Postsurgical biliary strictures

Choledochal cysts (discussed further below)

Biliary atresia

PSC is characterized by progressive inflammation and scarring of the bile ducts. It is thought to be autoimmune in nature and is
often associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; ulcerative colitis or Crohn colitis). The disease course is independent of
that of IBD. Treatment is mainly supportive. PSC is associated with an increased risk for cholangiocarcinoma.[7] Liver transplant
is the treatment used when PSC results in end-stage liver disease.

Congenital cystic dilations of the bile duct are typically associated with intermittent abdominal pain, jaundice, and right upper
quadrant mass. These are important to recognize owing to the risk of malignancy. Treatment is mostly surgical depending on the
type of choledochal cysts.

Infections

Infections associated with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia include the following:

CMV

Parasitic infections

Cholangitis

Cholecystitis

Inherited disorders

DJS is an autosomal-recessive disease characterized by a mutation in the gene responsible for the human canalicular
multispecific organic anion transporter (cMOAT) protein, also known as the multidrug resistance protein 2 (MRP2). This mutation
results in the impaired transport of nonbile salt organic anions across the canalicular membrane of the hepatocyte, resulting in
conjugated hyperbilirubinemia

Rotor syndrome is very similar to DJS. It is also autosomal recessive, although the exact genetic defect has yet to be
determined. Like DJS, Rotor syndrome is benign and requires no specific therapy.

DJS can be differentiated from Rotor syndrome in that DJS is characterized by normal urinary levels of coproporphyrin, as
opposed to Rotor syndrome, which is characterized by high levels. Additionally, DJS is associated with black pigmentation of the
liver, whereas Rotor syndrome is not.[8, 9]

Primary biliary cirrhosis

Primary biliary cirrhosis is an autoimmune disease of the liver involving progressive destruction of small intrahepatic ducts. It is
much more common in females and usually presents with pruritus, fatigue, and jaundice. It results in end-stage liver disease.
Treatment with ursodiol slows the disease progression. Like PSC, liver transplantation is the treatment of choice whenever
cirrhosis sets in.

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis

Benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) is a rare autosomal-recessive or sporadic disorder with recurrent episodes of
intense pruritus and jaundice that resolves spontaneously without significant liver damage.[10]

AIDS cholangiopathy

AIDS cholangiopathy is a syndrome of biliary obstruction thought to result from infection-induced strictures of the biliary tract.
The most common organism associated with AIDS cholangiopathy is Cryptosporidium parvum, although other organisms have
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also been implicated. Total parenteral nutrition

The etiology of total parenteral nutrition (TPN)–induced cholestasis is not completely understood and is likely multifactorial,
involving excessive calories with deficiencies in micronutrients and possibly bacterial translocation from the gut.

Wilson disease

Wilson disease is an autosomal-recessive disease involving copper deposition in multiple tissues, including the brain and liver.
Symptoms usually present by about age20 years, although cases in older people have been described. The ceruloplasmin
levels are usually reduced. Cupper chelation is used for treatment.

Drugs

Many drugs can cause liver injury that results in hyperbilirubinemia associated with elevated liver enzymes. Isolated elevated
bilirubin levels caused by drugs is much less common, but some drugs are known to do this, as follows:

Isoniazid

Chlorpromazine

Erythromycin

Anabolic steroids

Other

Other causes of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia include the following:

Sepsis

Shock

Hemochromatosis

Collection and Panels

Background
Description

Bilirubin is a tetrapyrrole and a breakdown product of heme catabolism. Most bilirubin (70%-90%) is derived from hemoglobin
degradation and, to a lesser extent, from other hemo proteins.

In its unconjugated form, bilirubin is water-insoluble and binds avidly to tissues such as brain, sclera, and mucous membranes.
This is minimized by its binding to albumin in the plasma, which keeps it confined to the vascular space. The glomerular
apparatus in the kidneys does not filter it. In the liver, the albumin-bilirubin complex dissociates, and it is taken up by the
hepatocytes. It is conjugated via uridine diphosphoglucuronate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) into its water-soluble form.

Overproduction of bilirubin (hemolysis) or defects in uptake and conjugation can result in unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Bilirubin diglucuronide is the predominant conjugated form (80%-85%). Conjugated bilirubin is excreted into bile and delivered to
the small intestine. Medical conditions and drugs that interfere with the excretion result in conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.

Intestinal bacteria convert bilirubin into several urobilinogens. A portion of the urobilinogens are then reabsorbed by the intestine
and circulated back to the liver in a process called enterohepatic circulation. A small portion of urobilinogen is excreted from the
body through the urine, while most is excreted in the stool. They give urine and stool their characteristic yellow and brown
colors, respectively. In the event of absent urobilinogens in the stool and urine, the feces turn clay in color and the urine
assumes a dark discoloration.

For more information concerning hyperbilirubinemia, see Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia and/or Conjugated
Hyperbilirubinemia.
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Indications/Applications

Bilirubin testing is indicated upon signs of abnormal liver function. Signs include the following:

Jaundice

History of alcoholism

Suspected drug toxicity

Exposure to hepatitis viruses

Bilirubin testing is also performed in newborns with jaundice.

Bilirubin testing is typically performed along with other laboratory tests, such as alanine aminotransferase, aspartate
aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase.

Considerations

Jaundice is the most common symptom of hyperbilirubinemia and is typically seen once total bilirubin levels approach 2-3
mg/dL. The earliest anatomic sites where jaundice can be seen are under the tongue and in the sclera (scleral icterus).
Asymptomatic jaundice is common in ineffective erythropoiesis or hemolysis. In Gilbert syndrome, unconjugated bilirubin levels
are mildly elevated at baseline but increase in the state of illness, physical or emotional stress, and in fasting.

Dark urine is a primary presentation of conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, but not unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, as it is water-
insoluble and thus not excreted in the urine. Signs of ascites, splenomegaly, spider angiomata, and gynecomastia are typical of
chronic liver disease. The presentation of neurological symptoms can indicate alcohol use. Tumors and an enlarged gallbladder
may be evident as palpable abdominal masses. Several physical clues may suggest certain disorders, such as Kayser-Fleischer
ring in Wilson disease or hyperpigmentation in hemochromatosis.

Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Mohammad Wehbi, MD Associate Professor of Medicine, Associate Program Director, Department of Gastroenterology, Emory
University School of Medicine; Section Chief of Gastroenterology, Atlanta Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Mohammad Wehbi, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American College of Physicians, American
Gastroenterological Association, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Eric B Staros, MD Associate Professor of Pathology, St Louis University School of Medicine; Director of Clinical Laboratories,
Director of Cytopathology, Department of Pathology, St Louis University Hospital

Eric B Staros, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Medical Association, American Society for Clinical
Pathology, Association for Molecular Pathology, College of American Pathologists

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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2. Pagana KD, Pagana TJ, Pagana TN. Mosby’s Diagnostic & Laboratory Test Reference. 14th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Elsevier; 2019.

3. Mor-Cohen, R., A. Zivelin, et al. Age estimates of ancestral mutations causing factor VII deficiency and Dubin-Johnson syndrome in
Iranian and Moroccan Jews are consistent with ancient Jewish migrations. :. Blood coagulation & fibrinolysis : an international
journal in haemostasis and thrombosis. 2007. 18(2):139-144.

4. Maisels, M. J. and K. Gifford. Normal serum bilirubin levels in the newborn and the effect of breast-feeding. Pediatrics. 1986.
78(5):837-843.

5. Muchowski KE. Evaluation and treatment of neonatal hyperbilirubinemia. Am Fam Physician. 2014 Jun 1. 89(11):873-8. [Medline].

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