Guest guest Posted February 8, 2000 Report Share Posted February 8, 2000 Dear Vic, Readings of Bilirubin below 1.0 mg should not sound any alarm bells in the setting of a liver disease. Bilirubin is the major breakdown product that results from the destruction of old red blood cells (as well as some other sources). It is removed from the blood by the liver, chemically modified by a process call conjugation, secreted into the bile, passed into the intestine and to some extent reabsorbed from the intestine. Bilirubin concentrations are elevated in the blood either by increased production, decreased uptake by the liver, decreased conjugation, decreased secretion from the liver or blockage of the bile ducts. In cases of increased production, decreased liver uptake or decreased conjugation, the unconjugated or so-called indirect bilirubin will be primarily elevated. In cases of decreased secretion from the liver or bile duct obstruction, the conjugated or so-called direct bilirubin will be primarily elevated. Many different liver diseases, as well as conditions other than liver diseases (e.g. increased production by enhanced red blood cell destruction), can cause the serum bilirubin concentration to be elevated. Most adult acquired liver diseases cause impairment in bilirubin secretion from liver cells that cause the direct bilirubin to be elevated in the blood. In chronic, acquired liver diseases, the serum bilirubin concentration is usually normal until a significant amount of liver damage has occurred and cirrhosis is present. In acute liver disease, the bilirubin is usually increased relative to the severity of the acute process. In bile duct obstruction, or diseases of the bile ducts such as primary biliary cirrhosis or sclerosing cholangitis, the alkaline phosphatase and GGT activities are often elevated along with the direct bilirubin concentration. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 29, 2005 Report Share Posted May 29, 2005 -------Original Message------- Bilirubin Alternative names Return to top Total bilirubin; Unconjugated bilirubin; Indirect bilirubin; Conjugated bilirubin; Direct bilirubin Definition Return to top Bilirubin is a breakdown product of hemoglobin. Total and direct bilirubin are usually measured to screen for or to monitor liver or gall bladder dysfunction. How the test is performed Return to top Blood is drawn from a vein (venipuncture) or capillary. The laboratory centrifuges the blood to separate the serum from the cells and the bilirubin test is done on the serum. How to prepare for the test Return to top Fast for at least 4 hours before the test. Your health care provider may instruct you to discontinue drugs that affect the test. 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, quinidine, rifampin, salicylates, steroids, sulfonamides, and theophylline. Drugs that can decrease bilirubin measurements include barbiturates, caffeine, penicillin, and high-dose salicylates. Why the test is performed Return to top This test is useful in determining if a patient has liver disease or a blocked bile duct. Bilirubin metabolism begins with the breakdown of red blood cells. Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, which is broken down to heme and globin. Heme is converted to bilirubin, which is then carried by albumin in the blood to the liver. In the liver, most of the bilirubin is chemically attached to a glucuronide before it is excreted in the bile. This "conjugated" bilirubin is called direct bilirubin; unconjugated bilirubin is called indirect bilirubin. Total serum bilirubin equals direct bilirubin plus indirect bilirubin. Conjugated bilirubin is excreted into the bile by the liver and stored in the gall bladder or transferred directly to the small intestines. Bilirubin is further broken down by bacteria in the intestines to urobilins, which contribute to the color of the feces. A small percentage of these compounds are reabsorbed and eventually appear in the urine, where they are referred to as urobilinogen. Normal Values Return to top direct bilirubin: 0 to 0.3 mg/dl total bilirubin: 0.3 to 1.9 mg/dl Note: mg/dl = milligrams per deciliter Normal values may vary slightly from laboratory to laboratory. What abnormal results mean Return to top Jaundice is the discoloration of skin and sclera of the eye, which occurs when bilirubin accumulates in the blood at a level greater than approximately 2.5 mg/dl. Jaundice occurs because red blood cells are being broken down too fast for the liver to process, because of disease in the liver, or because of bile duct blockage. If the bile ducts are obstructed, direct bilirubin will build up, escape from the liver, and end up in the blood. If the levels are high enough, some of it will appear in the urine. Only direct bilirubin appears in the urine. Increased direct bilirubin usually means that the biliary (liver secretion) ducts are obstructed. Increased indirect or total bilirubin may indicate: erythroblastosis fetalis Gilbert's disease hemolytic anemia hemolytic disease of the newborn physiological jaundice (normal in newborns) sickle cell anemia transfusion reaction pernicious anemia resolution of a large hematoma Increased direct bilirubin may indicate: bile duct obstruction cirrhosis Crigler-Najjar syndrome (very rare) Dubin- syndrome (very rare) hepatitis Additional conditions under which the test may be performed: biliary stricture cholangiocarcinoma cholangitis choledocholithiasis hemolytic anemia due to G6PD deficiency hepatic Encephalopathy idiopathic aplastic anemia idiopathic autoimmune hemolytic anemia immune hemolytic anemia secondary aplastic anemia drug-induced immune hemolytic anemia thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura 's disease Special considerations Return to top Interfering factors: hemolysis of blood will falsely increase bilirubin levels lipids in the blood will falsely decrease bilirubin levels bilirubin is light-sensitive; it decomposes in light Update Date: 2/14/2005 Updated by: Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003479.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 > > I was told my bilirubin levels were high on my last physical and not to worry. I did some research and found out that it has to do with the liver and digestion. Bee, do you know anything about this? Crystal ==>Yes I am familiar with it Crystal. I recommend dry skin brushing and coffee enemas to decongest the liver, and the Electrolyte Drink also helps. The high " good " fats on this program are very important for normalizing the liver and helping it function better. You can also do liver massages - see the Liver Pump Technique: http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/menu1_4_5.php Did you know that the liver regenerates itself completely once a month? Cheers, Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 bee what do you think about milk thistle for detoxing the liver? monique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 Wow! I did not know that! The human body never ceases to amaze me, thanks Bee! Luv, Crystal > > > > I was told my bilirubin levels were high on my last physical and not > to worry. I did some research and found out that it has to do with the > liver and digestion. Bee, do you know anything about this? Crystal > > ==>Yes I am familiar with it Crystal. I recommend dry skin brushing > and coffee enemas to decongest the liver, and the Electrolyte Drink > also helps. The high " good " fats on this program are very important > for normalizing the liver and helping it function better. You can also > do liver massages - see the Liver Pump Technique: > http://www.healingnaturallybybee.com/articles/menu1_4_5.php > > Did you know that the liver regenerates itself completely once a month? > > Cheers, Bee > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 14, 2008 Report Share Posted April 14, 2008 It should be OK. I've used dandelion and burdock root. Dandelion tea is quite pleasant to taste but burdock is extremely bitter. I've heard about milk thistle but never tried it. I had good luck with the dandelion tea. Zack On Mon, 14 Apr 2008, Sauve wrote: > bee > > what do you think about milk thistle for detoxing the liver? > > monique > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 > > bee > > what do you think about milk thistle for detoxing the liver? ==>It is okay, but coffee enemas are better, and the high " good " fats are very cleansing for the liver. Bee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I have used milk thistle and must say coffee enemas give immediate relief! Cheers! --- Bee <beeisbuzzing2003@...> wrote: > > > > > bee > > > > what do you think about milk thistle for detoxing > the liver? > > ==>It is okay, but coffee enemas are better, and the > high " good " fats > are very cleansing for the liver. > > Bee > > > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 hi lisa what are you symptoms that you get relief from with coffee enemas? monique Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 15, 2008 Report Share Posted April 15, 2008 I do it every 4 or 5 days and I immediately have super energy and it lasts the entire day. It makes me feel like I did in high school, lol! --- Sauve <moniquesauve@...> wrote: > hi lisa > > what are you symptoms that you get relief from with > coffee enemas? > > monique > ________________________________________________________________________________\ ____ Be a better friend, newshound, and know-it-all with Mobile. Try it now. http://mobile./;_ylt=Ahu06i62sR8HDtDypao8Wcj9tAcJ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 11, 2009 Report Share Posted December 11, 2009 Bilirubin Definition: When red blood cells become old or damaged, they are broken down in the body, resulting in a yellow pigmented chemical called bilirubin. Under healthy circumstances, red blood cells are broken down by the spleen, and through a series of chemical steps in the spleen and liver, eventually become bile. If the liver is damaged, it isn't able to use the bilirubin produced by the spleen. Too much bilirubin in the blood is called hyperbilirubinemia and can lead to jaundice. As bilirubin collects in the blood, some bilirubin leaks into nearby tissues, giving a yellow tint to the skin and whites of the eyes. http://hepatitis.about.com/od/abc/g/bilirubin.htm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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