What should bilirubin levels be in adults

In adults, bacteria in the gut break down the conjugated bilirubin to create urobilin, and this is excreted in feces. In neonates, the liver takes several days to start adequately processing bilirubin. The seriousness and medical significance of elevated bilirubin will depend on the cause.

The age of the infant, as well as whether they were born premature, is also a factor. For premature infants, the earlier the delivery occurs in the gestation period, the lower the threshold at which health professionals consider bilirubin levels to be excessive. Most jaundice in infants is not severe, and the symptoms resolve naturally. Prolonged jaundice is more common in infants who are breast-feeding.

This type of jaundice is usually not harmful but needs close monitoring. The neonatal doctor might recommend seeing a lactation consultant among other treatments if they give a jaundice diagnosis. Some infants receive phototherapy, where a physician exposes the baby to a special kind of blue-green light. This is a standard treatment, in which the light converts the bilirubin to a different form that the liver and kidneys can remove.

At-home liver tests can provide information on how well a person's liver functions. Read on to learn more about what liver tests screen for and where…. A large new study has found an association between drinking coffee — of any kind, including decaffeinated coffee — and having a lower risk of liver….

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a condition in which fatty deposits build up in the liver. Here, find out what causes it and how to manage it.

Pain in the upper abdomen on the right side may be due to a liver problem. Here, find out which problems can affect the liver and what treatment is…. There may be slight bruising at the puncture site afterward. Your blood will be sent to a laboratory for analysis. You can usually return to normal activities immediately. Bilirubin test results are expressed as direct, indirect or total bilirubin. Total bilirubin is a combination of direct and indirect bilirubin.

Typically, you'll get results for direct and total bilirubin. Normal results for a total bilirubin test are 1. Normal results for direct bilirubin are generally 0. These results may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. Normal results may be slightly different for women and children, and results may be affected by certain foods, medications or strenuous exercise. Be sure to tell your doctor about any foods or medications you've taken and your activity levels so that your results can be interpreted correctly.

Lower than normal bilirubin levels are usually not a concern. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or disease. In adults, normal bilirubin levels are less than one milligram per deciliter. High bilirubin levels are greater than 2. High bilirubin levels result in jaundice — a condition that causes a distinct yellow cast to the skin, the whites of eyes, and the underside of the tongue. When you have liver disease, bilirubin "backs up in the liver, which then goes into the bloodstream and goes around your body.

According to Kwo, people with elevated bilirubin levels from severe liver disease or damage may also experience:. If you are experiencing these symptoms, seek medical attention immediately, as an underlying liver condition will require more than just at-home remedies.

However, following these four tips can help you boost overall liver health in addition to medical guidance. Staying hydrated helps lower bilirubin levels by facilitating the removal of waste from the body. Men should aim to drink about ounces of water a day and women 91 ounces. Since water stimulates your metabolism and acts as an appetite suppressant, it's also an effective way to keep you in a healthy weight range. Obesity is a major cause of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease , which afflicts up to a quarter of the world's population, according to Kwo.

Because fruits and vegetables are low in fat and sugar, they promote overall liver and organ health. Kwo is a big fan of the Mediterranean diet for those looking to improve their liver health.

A bilirubin test is also ordered when the provider suspects a person has liver or gallbladder problems. Normal value ranges may vary slightly among different laboratories. Some labs use different measurements or may test different samples. Talk to your provider about the meaning of your specific test results.

In newborns, bilirubin level is higher for the first few days of life. Your child's provider must consider the following when deciding whether your baby's bilirubin level is too high:. Jaundice can also occur when more red blood cells than normal are broken down. This can be caused by:. There is little risk involved with having your blood taken. Veins vary in size from one person to another and from one side of the body to the other.

Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others. Bilirubin total, direct [conjugated] and indirect [unconjugated] - serum. Laboratory Tests and Diagnostic Procedures.