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What Are The Normal Bilirubin Levels?

Posted on Mon, 14 Jul 2014

Question: can u tell me what is a high level of billiribin? mine was 38 on thursday and was 55 on saturday abit of my eyes are yellow i had my gallbladder out 8 weeks ago and was seen at the hospital on sat for pain under my right rib no nausea vomiting fever clay coloured stools but sum diarrhea that is yellow i did have an ultra sound that came back clear as well as xray. my concern is could the ultra sound have missed a bile leak or stricture? they were reluctant to do ct scan but cld not explain why billirubun is high

Answered by Dr. T Shobha Deepak (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Ultrasound will demonstrate bile leak

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms

The normal Bilirubin levels are as follows
1. Direct Bilirubin level : < 7 micro moles / liter
2. Indirect bilirubin level : < 12 micro moles/lit

Following could be the causes of rise in bilirubin following Cholecystectomy
1. Slipped stones in common bile duct
2. Common bile duct injury

Ultrasound will pick up bile leak but will not show up stricture. It will require either Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatogram or Endoscopic Retrograde cholangiopancreatogram for demonstration.

Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you.

Take care

Best regards
Dr T Shobha Deepak
MBBS, MD

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar