What underlying conditions cause high bilirubin?
What causes high bilirubin?
- Gallstones happen when substances like cholesterol or bilirubin harden in your gallbladder.
- Gilbert’s syndrome is a genetic liver condition that causes your liver to not process bilirubin properly.
- Hepatitis happens when your liver gets inflamed, often due to a viral infection.
Can drugs cause high bilirubin?
Drugs that can increase bilirubin measurements include allopurinol, anabolic steroids, some antibiotics, antimalarials, azathioprine, chlorpropamide, cholinergics, codeine, diuretics, epinephrine, meperidine, methotrexate, methyldopa, MAO inhibitors, morphine, nicotinic acid, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines.
What happens if you have too much bilirubin?
High levels of bilirubin can lead to jaundice. This disorder is easily recognizable due to a yellowing of the skin and eyes. High bilirubin levels can occur in adults, but the disorder is more common in newborn infants.
What happens when bilirubin is high?
Lower than normal bilirubin levels are usually not a concern. Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or disease. Higher than normal levels of direct bilirubin in your blood may indicate your liver isn’t clearing bilirubin properly. Elevated levels of indirect bilirubin may indicate other problems.
What is the treatment for elevated bilirubin?
Treatment. Treatment depends on the underlying cause of the high bilirubin. If the cause is known, bilirubin might be removed through treatment or lifestyle changes, such as avoiding alcohol.
What happens if your bilirubin is too high?
What happens if bilirubin indirect is high?
Elevated levels may indicate liver damage or disease. Higher than normal levels of direct bilirubin in your blood may indicate your liver isn’t clearing bilirubin properly. Elevated levels of indirect bilirubin may indicate other problems.
