Bilirubin is a substance that is formed normally from the breakdown of red blood cells in the body. It is this substance that gives stool and urine their yellow color. Although formed normally, sometimes there are certain diseases that cause the amount of bilirubin to increase. If left untreated, this condition can cause serious health problems.
To determine the level of bilirubin in the body, blood tests are needed. The normal total bilirubin level in adults is about 0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter), while in children under 18 years it is 1 mg/dL.
If it increases slightly, it does not necessarily indicate an abnormality. However, if the increase in bilirubin levels is high enough to more than 2 mg/dl, then there is most likely a certain underlying medical condition or disease.
Causes of Increased Bilirubin Count
An increased amount of bilirubin in the blood can occur for many reasons, including:
1. Liver disorders
The amount of bilirubin can increase due to damage to the liver or liver. In the body, bilirubin will be processed and stored in bile. When there is damage or abnormalities in the liver, for example in hepatitis and cirrhosis, bilirubin levels can increase.
2. Diseases of the bile
The gallbladder is an organ that functions to store bile. It is in the bile that the bilirubin is stored.
Therefore, if the gallbladder is attacked by diseases, such as gallstones, narrowing of the bile ducts, inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (and bile tumors, the amount of bilirubin can increase.
In addition, damage to other organs around the bile, for example in pancreatic cancer and inflammation of the pancreas, can also cause bilirubin to increase.
3. Damage to red blood cells
Conditions that make red blood cells break down more quickly, such as sickle cell anemia and hemolytic anemia, can cause the amount of bilirubin to rise dramatically.
In babies and fetuses in the womb, bilirubin levels can increase due to a condition called erythroblastosis fetalis. This disease causes the baby's blood cells to be destroyed because it is damaged by the mother's immune system.
In addition, in people who have recently received blood transfusions, bilirubin levels can increase if the blood received does not match the body.
4. Drug side effects
There are several types of drugs that can cause side effects in the form of increased bilirubin levels. These medications include antibiotics, corticosteroids, birth control pills,indomethacin, and anticonvulsant drugs, such as diazepam, flurazepam, and phenytoin.
In certain cases, certain supplements or herbal medicines can also cause bilirubin levels to increase.
In addition to some of the medical conditions above, bilirubin levels in the blood can also increase due to severe infections, thyroid disorders, and genetic disorders, such as Gilbert's syndrome, hereditary hemochromatosis, Rotor's syndrome, and Criggler-Najjar syndrome.
Impact High Bilirubin
If the level of bilirubin is high in the blood, the body will experience jaundice (jaundice).jaundice). Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of the eyes and skin accompanied by itching.
Not only in adults, the amount of bilirubin that is too much in newborns is also dangerous. High bilirubin levels in newborns are usually characterized by yellowing of the skin that appears on the face and forehead first, then spreads to the chest and other body parts. In addition, the baby may also experience lethargy, cry constantly, or even have seizures.
If not treated immediately, high levels of bilirubin in babies can cause brain damage (kernicterus), nerve problems, and even death. Therefore, jaundiced babies require special care to lower the bilirubin levels in their blood. One of the treatments is phototherapy.
nowFrom the information above, it can be concluded that elevated levels of bilirubin, especially those that are already causing symptoms of jaundice, are conditions that need to be checked by a doctor immediately.
In determining the diagnosis, the doctor will perform a physical examination and support, such as blood tests to assess bilirubin levels and ultrasound of the liver and bile. Once the bilirubin level is confirmed to increase, the doctor can seek treatment according to the causative factor.