Direct bilirubin is also known as conjugated bilirubin. Unconjugated bilirubin is converted in hepatocytes and combined with glucuronic acid to form conjugated bilirubin, which is called direct bilirubin because of the direct reaction of conjugated bilirubin with the Vandenberg qualitative test. Measurement of direct bilirubin is mainly used to identify the type of jaundice. Elevated serum conjugated bilirubin indicates impaired excretion of bilirubin from the bile duct after processing and handling by hepatocytes. Causes of high direct bilirubin Non-pathological factors of high direct bilirubin: Strenuous exercise, excessive fatigue, excessive alcohol consumption and other physiological factors can lead to high direct bilirubin, which generally requires good rest and adjustment of lifestyle habits to recover on its own. Direct bilirubin high causes of pathological factors: 1, hemolytic jaundice: when a large number of red blood cells destroyed, indirect bilirubin elevated, more than the liver’s ability to convert, so that indirect bilirubin in the blood retention, this is called hemolytic jaundice, followed by direct bilirubin high. 2, obstructive jaundice: If the extrahepatic biliary tract is obstructed, the direct bilirubin processed by the liver cannot pass smoothly through the bile duct into the intestine, but flows backwards into the blood, at this time, the high direct bilirubin in the blood will also rise. 3, hepatocellular jaundice: When hepatocellular jaundice occurs, liver cells are damaged and incapable of processing indirect bilirubin, at this time, indirect bilirubin is retained in the blood, and at the same time, direct bilirubin cannot be discharged into the intestine, and both indirect bilirubin and direct bilirubin in the blood are elevated. It is recommended that patients should eat more light, vitamin-rich and protein-rich foods in their diet, which are very beneficial to their condition. At the same time, patients should go to the hospital in time for examination to identify the causes and treat the symptoms, so as not to miss the opportunity for treatment!