High bilirubin itself is not hereditary. High bilirubin is due to excessive bilirubin production and impaired bilirubin clearance, often associated with physiological and pathological factors.
The source of bilirubin is the aging of red blood cells, which undergoes a series of metabolism and transformation in the body, and eventually becomes indirect bilirubin, which is transformed by the liver into direct bilirubin, which participates in the formation of bile, is excreted into the biliary tract, and is finally excreted in the feces. Elevated bilirubin is associated with impaired bilirubin production and clearance. Usually physiologic and pathologic factors are involved.
1. Physiological factors: physiological jaundice in newborns, excessive alcohol consumption and obesity can lead to excessive production of bilirubin and obstruction of bilirubin clearance, which can cause bilirubin increase.
2. Pathological factors: ① hemolytic disease: excessive destruction of erythrocytes causes bilirubin increase. ② liver disease: hepatitis, cirrhosis, etc., bilirubin can not be converted into bile, resulting in obstruction of bile excretion. ③ Extrahepatic diseases: hemolytic jaundice, cholelithiasis, pancreatic head cancer, etc., mainly due to the obstruction of bile excretion.
3. Genetic diseases: such as Gilbert’s syndrome, Crigler-Najjar syndrome, etc., which is related to inborn bilirubin metabolism abnormality.
Therefore, high bilirubin is not hereditary, but can be caused by genetic diseases. High bilirubin is often accompanied by symptoms of jaundice, and exponential elevation is important in the diagnosis of hepatobiliary disorders, so it is important to be aware of the difference.