The sum of direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin is the total serum bilirubin. The reference range of total bilirubin in adults is 3.4-17.1μmmol/L. Higher total bilirubin may be caused by neonatal jaundice, hepatocellular inflammation and bile duct obstruction.
1. Neonatal jaundice: Physiological jaundice is the result of weak metabolism in newborns and low level of bilirubin metabolized by liver function, leading to high bilirubin in newborns. There are many pathological reasons, such as infection, blood group incompatibility, etc., which can lead to viral hepatitis, hemolysis in newborns, etc., and the total serum bilirubin will be elevated.
2. Hepatocellular inflammation: the synthesis and excretion of bile are affected, direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin may be elevated, with direct bilirubin being the main cause of elevation, and finally total bilirubin will be elevated.
3. Bile duct obstruction: when there are stones or tumors in the bile duct, it leads to bile duct stenosis. Bile can not be discharged from the intestine smoothly, and then return to the blood, resulting in elevated total bilirubin, especially direct bilirubin.
There are other reasons for high serum total bilirubin, so it is recommended to go to the hospital to have the cause clarified and then follow the doctor’s instructions for treatment.