What happens if my bilirubin in blood is high? This is a question that may leave some feeling a bit lost. Maybe you just got back blood work, and the numbers seem a bit off. Or, maybe your doctor has used the word "bilirubin," but you aren’t quite sure what it all means. Let’s unravel the mystery surrounding bilirubin and discover what happens when bilirubin levels are high.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding Bilirubin
- What Does a High Bilirubin Level Mean?
- What Causes High Bilirubin Levels?
- Testing and Diagnosis
- Treating High Bilirubin
- Lifestyle Modifications
- FAQs about What happens if my bilirubin in blood is high
- Conclusion
What is Bilirubin?
Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. But, these cells eventually wear out after about 120 days. When this happens, they break down, releasing a yellowish pigment called bilirubin.
This bilirubin needs to be processed and removed from your system. Your liver, a necessary organ for filtering waste products from your blood, steps in to help. It transforms this yellowish pigment into a form that can be excreted.
Types of Bilirubin
There are two types of bilirubin - unconjugated and conjugated. Unconjugated bilirubin is the raw form that is initially released when red blood cells break down. It's picked up by a protein called albumin and transported to your liver for processing.
The liver converts the unconjugated bilirubin into conjugated bilirubin, which is water-soluble, making it easier to eliminate. Most conjugated bilirubin is mixed into bile, which aids in digestion before exiting your body. A small portion is filtered out by your kidneys, giving urine its yellowish hue.
What Does a High Bilirubin Level Mean?
A high bilirubin level, also known as hyperbilirubinemia, means you have more bilirubin in your blood than usual. This excess bilirubin can build up in your tissues, causing them to take on a yellow color, a condition called jaundice.
However, high bilirubin is usually a symptom of an underlying issue. Addressing that underlying issue is what brings your levels back down.
Typical adult bilirubin levels should be below 1.2 mg/dL. Levels above this can vary from person to person and might be slightly higher in men than in women. If you've recently engaged in strenuous exercise like a marathon, your bilirubin levels might be temporarily elevated as well.
Symptoms of High Bilirubin
While jaundice, the yellowing of the skin and eyes, is the most obvious symptom of high bilirubin, you might also notice other changes:
- Darker than usual urine.
- Pale or clay-colored stool. This occurs because the bilirubin, which normally gives your stool its brown color, isn't making its way to the intestines for excretion.
- Itchy skin.
- Fatigue or weakness.
- Abdominal pain or swelling.
- Nausea or vomiting.
What Causes High Bilirubin Levels?
Abnormal bilirubin levels can hint at problems with liver function. However, sometimes the problem lies elsewhere in the body’s complex systems. Here are some potential reasons why you might have high bilirubin.
Problems with Red Blood Cell Breakdown
When red blood cells are breaking down too quickly, your body struggles to keep up with removing the resulting bilirubin. This is called hemolytic anemia. Many factors contribute to this rapid breakdown:
- Hemolytic disease
- Sickle cell disease
- Complications with blood transfusions
Liver Dysfunction
Your liver could be overwhelmed, trying to cope with an excess of toxins, or there could be damage to the liver that impacts how effectively it processes bilirubin. Several things can lead to liver dysfunction, including:
- Chronic liver disease.
- Hepatitis, a viral infection that causes inflammation in the liver.
- Alcoholic hepatitis, brought on by heavy alcohol consumption.
- Toxic hepatitis, triggered by certain drugs or medications.
- Cirrhosis, a condition in which healthy liver tissue is replaced with scar tissue, hindering blood flow.
- Autoimmune disorders. In these cases, the body’s own immune system mistakenly attacks liver cells.
Blockages in the Biliary System
The biliary system is the pathway through which bilirubin exits your liver. When there’s a blockage in this pathway, it makes its journey into the intestines much tougher. This conjugated hyperbilirubinemia can be caused by several issues:
- Gallstones, hardened deposits of cholesterol or bilirubin that form in the gallbladder, which can sometimes block the bile ducts.
- Cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder, which can cause pain and interfere with bile flow.
- Bile duct strictures or tumors.
- Pancreatitis.
Genetic Factors
Some inherited genetic conditions can contribute to elevated bilirubin. They often affect how efficiently the liver processes this pigment.
- Gilbert's Syndrome: A common, harmless condition caused by a deficiency of an enzyme involved in bilirubin breakdown. This deficiency can lead to mildly elevated bilirubin, especially during periods of stress or fasting. While this doesn’t usually require treatment, it’s worth discussing with your care provider.
High Bilirubin in Newborns
Newborn jaundice is very common because a baby’s liver is still developing. While a baby is developing inside their mother's womb, the mother's liver helps to process bilirubin. When the baby is born, its own liver needs to take over, and sometimes it requires a few days to fully catch up.
You'll know if a baby has jaundice because the baby's skin and whites of the eyes appear yellow because of the excess bilirubin. This usually shows up within the first few days after birth. Mild jaundice often clears up on its own as the liver matures.
But in certain cases, higher bilirubin levels can put infants at risk. Bilirubin is toxic to developing brains. If it crosses the blood-brain barrier it can cause kernicterus, a serious type of brain damage.
There are numerous causes of jaundice in newborns:
- Premature birth
- Blood type incompatibility
- Reactions to substances in breast milk
Doctors typically intervene with treatments like phototherapy, a special type of blue light therapy, or exchange transfusions to manage those high bilirubin levels in babies.
Testing and Diagnosis
A bilirubin blood test measures your bilirubin levels. Your healthcare provider takes a small blood sample from a vein. If the result suggests higher-than-normal levels of bilirubin, they might want to run additional blood tests or other investigations. For example, they might want to run a liver function test. This test measures the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood and can help to determine if your liver is functioning properly.
If jaundice is present, your doctor might perform a physical exam to feel for any swelling or tenderness in your abdomen. This could provide clues about your liver's condition. In addition, imaging tests, like a CT scan or ultrasound, can help your doctor get a better look at your liver and surrounding organs. Depending on the specifics of your situation, there are also procedures like endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to investigate the health of the bile duct.
Treating High Bilirubin
The treatment plan depends on the cause of the high bilirubin levels.
Addressing Red Blood Cell Breakdown
If your body is breaking down red blood cells faster than it should, treatments often aim to slow that process or address the underlying condition causing the accelerated destruction. Your care provider will tailor a specific treatment plan based on what’s causing your high bilirubin levels. They might recommend medications to suppress your immune system in the case of autoimmune disorders attacking your red blood cells.
Managing Liver Dysfunction
If liver dysfunction is to blame for your high bilirubin, the focus is usually on managing the condition that's causing your liver to struggle. For instance, fatty liver disease calls for changes to diet and exercise to reduce fat buildup in the liver. In cases like hepatitis, antiviral medications may be used to tackle the virus.
Resolving Bile Duct Blockages
Treatment for biliary obstructions usually involves techniques to remove or bypass the blockage. Gallstones, for example, might require surgery or procedures to break them down, freeing up bile flow. Medications and even endoscopic procedures might be recommended for other types of blockages.
Lifestyle Modifications
In addition to medical interventions, there are often several lifestyle modifications that can aid in lowering bilirubin and maintaining a healthy liver:
- Avoid Alcohol. Giving your liver a break from processing alcohol can go a long way.
- Healthy Diet. This involves choosing foods low in saturated fats and processed foods and making sure to eat lots of fiber-rich fruits and vegetables.
- Stay Hydrated. Water helps to flush toxins from your body and assists in the healthy functioning of all your organs, including the liver. Aim for eight glasses of water each day.
- Maintain a Healthy Weight. Shedding extra pounds can alleviate pressure on your liver.
- Exercise Regularly. Even moderate exercise helps to maintain overall health, promotes efficient circulation, and can assist in reducing fat build-up in the liver.
FAQs about What happens if my bilirubin in blood is high
How serious is elevated bilirubin?
The seriousness depends on its cause. In adults, high bilirubin often signals an underlying condition like liver disease, gallstones, or hemolytic anemia. The severity of that condition dictates how seriously to take the high bilirubin. In newborns, jaundice is often harmless and temporary, but elevated levels require close monitoring. High bilirubin can, in some cases, damage the developing brain of an infant. It’s always best to discuss any concerns with your care provider so they can guide you based on your specific circumstances.
How do you fix high bilirubin?
Because high bilirubin is usually a symptom rather than a root cause, the “fix” is often treating the underlying problem. Your doctor will try to understand the root of the high bilirubin levels – perhaps a liver issue, biliary obstruction, or something else – so they can tailor a treatment plan.
What is an alarming bilirubin level?
In adults, bilirubin levels above 1.2 mg/dL are usually considered high and warrant further investigation. For newborns, acceptable bilirubin levels can reach 12 mg/dL before triggering any serious concern. However, this number is still watched closely, and it is important to follow the care guidelines recommended by the baby’s doctor.
What condition causes high bilirubin?
High bilirubin levels are a signal that something’s off in how your body’s processing and eliminating bilirubin. It can be caused by problems with the breakdown of red blood cells, dysfunction of the liver, a blockage within the biliary system, and sometimes genetics. In infants, the most common cause is newborn jaundice.
Conclusion
You've learned that elevated bilirubin is usually a sign of another condition that needs attention. Bilirubin, a yellowish pigment created from the natural breakdown of red blood cells, needs to be processed and removed by your body. Elevated bilirubin often results in jaundice - that telltale yellowing of the skin and eyes.
However, remember, a high bilirubin level itself usually isn’t the enemy, but a messenger indicating another issue might be lurking. This could be anything from a liver condition to a bile duct blockage to rapid red blood cell destruction.