What causes elevated direct bilirubin?
What causes elevated direct bilirubin?
What causes elevated direct bilirubin?
The conjugated (direct) bilirubin level is often elevated by alcohol, infectious hepatitis, drug reactions, and autoimmune disorders. Posthepatic disorders also can cause conjugated hyperbilirubinemia.
What is the effect of high direct bilirubin?
Share on Pinterest High bilirubin can lead to jaundice. A high level of bilirubin in the blood is known as hyperbilirubinemia. High bilirubin levels can cause jaundice. Jaundice makes the skin and the whites of the eyes appear yellow, due to the brown and yellow bilirubin in the blood.
What can cause high bilirubin in adults?
High total bilirubin may be caused by:
- Anemia.
- Cirrhosis.
- A reaction to a blood transfusion.
- Gilbert syndrome — a common, inherited condition in which there is a deficiency of an enzyme that helps to break down bilirubin.
- Viral hepatitis.
- A reaction to drugs.
- Alcoholic liver disease.
- Gallstones.
Is 0.40 direct bilirubin high?
What are normal bilirubin levels in adults? Normal values of direct bilirubin range from 0 to 0.4 mg/dL. Total bilirubin (direct and indirect) range from about 0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL (some lab values range as high as 1.9 mg/dL).
How can I lower my direct bilirubin?
Quick tips
- Drink at least eight glasses of fluids per day.
- Consider adding milk thistle to your routine.
- Opt for fruits like papaya and mango, which are rich in digestive enzymes.
- Eat at least 2 1/2 cups of veggies and 2 cups of fruit per day.
- Look for high-fiber foods, such as oatmeal, berries, and almonds.
What is high level of direct bilirubin?
It forms after red blood cells break down, and it travels through your liver, gallbladder, and digestive tract before being excreted. Typically, bilirubin levels fall somewhere between 0.3 and 1.2 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Anything above 1.2 mg/dL is usually considered high.
Is 21 a high bilirubin level?
Usually it is mild. The level of bilirubin that is harmful is around 20. Reaching a level this high is rare. High levels need to be treated with bili-lights.