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What Do These Direct And Total Bilirubin Values Indicate?
Question: My direct bilirubin is 1 and total bilirubin is 1.5. What it signifies.
Brief Answer:
Cause for increase in direct bilirubin are the following
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Bilirubin is a pigment which is formed from the breakdown of heme component in hemoglobin. Bilirubin is found in two forms, the direct or conjugated bilirubin and the indirect or unconjugated bilirubin.
2. The direct bilirubin is that which is attached with sugars and is secreted in the bile to be eliminated through the intestines. The indirect or unconjugated bilirubin is the one that is formed when heme is released and it is transported to the liver.
3. The normal ranges of bilirubin are the following
total bilirubin up to 1.2 mg/dL
direct bilirubin up to 0.3 mg/dL
indirect bilirubin up to 0.9 mg/dL
4. Your direct bilirubin level is increased. Direct bilirubin is increased in conditions including the following
(i) viral hepatitis
(ii) medicines and drugs
(iii) alcohol drinking
(iv) gall stones
(v) obstruction to flow of bile due to strictures
5. It is important to get a detailed evaluation based on the symptoms you have. An abdominal ultrasound scan might be required to know the cause of increased direct bilirubin.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Cause for increase in direct bilirubin are the following
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.
1. Bilirubin is a pigment which is formed from the breakdown of heme component in hemoglobin. Bilirubin is found in two forms, the direct or conjugated bilirubin and the indirect or unconjugated bilirubin.
2. The direct bilirubin is that which is attached with sugars and is secreted in the bile to be eliminated through the intestines. The indirect or unconjugated bilirubin is the one that is formed when heme is released and it is transported to the liver.
3. The normal ranges of bilirubin are the following
total bilirubin up to 1.2 mg/dL
direct bilirubin up to 0.3 mg/dL
indirect bilirubin up to 0.9 mg/dL
4. Your direct bilirubin level is increased. Direct bilirubin is increased in conditions including the following
(i) viral hepatitis
(ii) medicines and drugs
(iii) alcohol drinking
(iv) gall stones
(v) obstruction to flow of bile due to strictures
5. It is important to get a detailed evaluation based on the symptoms you have. An abdominal ultrasound scan might be required to know the cause of increased direct bilirubin.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you very much Dr.
I take alcohol just one or two times a month.
But in October 2015 I suffered from malaria and after getting discharged from hospital I discontinued choliroquinine (don't know exact name but the tablet has same salt as commonly called quinine) after taking for 8 to 10 days and again completed the 14 days course when doctor advise that the course must be completed.
This may cause such levels of bilirubin even after more than one year?
Please read October 2015 as October 2014
I take alcohol just one or two times a month.
But in October 2015 I suffered from malaria and after getting discharged from hospital I discontinued choliroquinine (don't know exact name but the tablet has same salt as commonly called quinine) after taking for 8 to 10 days and again completed the 14 days course when doctor advise that the course must be completed.
This may cause such levels of bilirubin even after more than one year?
Please read October 2015 as October 2014
Brief Answer:
Chloroquine is unlikely to cause it after a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Chloroquine for malaria is unlikely to be responsible for increased direct bilirubin after a year following treatment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Chloroquine is unlikely to cause it after a year
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
1. Chloroquine for malaria is unlikely to be responsible for increased direct bilirubin after a year following treatment.
Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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