High total bile acids may indicate hepatocellular damage, biliary obstruction, portal shunt, or a physiologic phenomenon, such as a transient increase in serum cholesterol after a meal. The reference value for total bile acids is 0-10 μmol/L, because the synthesis, secretion, and reabsorption of bile acids are closely related to the liver, gallbladder, and intestine. Therefore, bile acid abnormalities can indicate lesions in the above organs. The sensitivity and specificity of bile acids for the diagnosis of hepatobiliary system diseases are higher than other indicators. Elevated bile acids are mainly seen in the following diseases: hepatocellular damage diseases, such as acute hepatitis, chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis, toxic liver disease, intrahepatic biliary obstruction, extrahepatic biliary obstruction, portal vein shunt, and so on. In addition to the above, it can also be a physiologic phenomenon, such as a transient elevation of serum bile acids after meals.