Bilirubin is a yellow pigment that is produced when red blood cells break down. It is processed by the liver and excreted from the body through bile. Bilirubin Total test measures the total amount of bilirubin in the blood, which includes both direct and indirect bilirubin. Direct bilirubin is the amount of bilirubin that is already processed by the liver, while indirect bilirubin is the amount that is not yet processed.

The Bilirubin Total Test is usually done to diagnose liver and gallbladder problems, as well as to identify the cause of jaundice. Jaundice is a medical condition that causes yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

High levels of bilirubin in the blood can be caused by various factors such as liver disease, gallstones, hepatitis, or certain medications. Low levels of bilirubin, on the other hand, can be caused by conditions such as Gilbert's Syndrome, Crigler-Najjar Syndrome, or Dubin-Johnson Syndrome.

The Bilirubin Total Test is a simple blood test that requires no preparation. The test is performed by drawing a small amount of blood from the vein and sending it to the lab for analysis. Results are usually available within 24-48 hours.

Category
Biochemistry

Prerequisite
You don't need any special preparation for this test

Normal Range
7-14 days: <15.0 mg/dL
15 days to 17 years: < or =1.0 mg/dL
> or =18 years: < or =1.2 mg/ dL

Type of sample to be collected
Blood Sample