Bilirubin - Risks
Alternative Names
Total bilirubin; Unconjugated bilirubin; Indirect bilirubin; Conjugated bilirubin; Direct bilirubin
Special considerations:
Factors that interfere with bilirubin testing are:
- Hemolysis (breakdown) of blood will falsely increase bilirubin levels
- Lipids in the blood will falsely decrease bilirubin levels
- Bilirubin is light-sensitive; it breaks down in light
- Reviewed last on: 2/23/2009
- David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
References
Berk PD, Korenblat KM. Approach to the patient with jaundice or abnormal liver test results. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 150.