The bilirubin is a substance that has a yellowish color and that appears when the red blood cells and hemates decompose. Having high levels of this substance in the blood can have important consequences in.
Red blood cells are composed of hemoglobin, which is essential for the transport of oxygen through the blood. Thus, when hemoglobin breaks down, the resulting substance is called bilirubin. In this sense, in order to be expelled, it is transformed into direct bilirubin and indirect bilirubin.
On the one hand, direct bilirubin is that which is mixed with different types of sugars in the liver and accumulates in the gallbladder to later be expelled by the bile of the intestine and later in part by the urine.
However, indirect bilirubin combines with albumin in the blood and reaches the liver with, organ in which it is absorbed by hepatocytes or liver cells.
What happens when bilirubin rises?
On many occasions we have heard the expression my bilirubin rises, especially due to the famous song by Juan Luis Guerra. However, the increase in bilirubin in the blood does not bring anything positive for health.
When the levels of this substance rise too high in the blood, they are usually a symptom of the onset of a disease, generally of liver or gallbladder origin. That is, there is a pathology that is causing an increase in the values.
Some symptoms that may indicate an increase in bilirubin is jaundice, which is a yellowish condition of the skin and mucosa .
Causes of increased bilirubin
There are certain causes that can lead to increased levels of bilirubin in the blood , which are usually produced in the process of eliminating hemoglobin. One of these causes is the obstruction of the liver, which prevents the normal expulsion of bile.
In addition, other causes of the increase of this substance in the blood are the following:
- Obstruction outside the liver.
- Liver diseases with hepatocyte dysfunction.
- Increase in hemoglobin production.
- Diseases of a hereditary nature, such as Dubin-Johnson syndrome, Rotor syndrome or Gilbert syndrome.
Thus, if we present high levels of bilirubin, the most appropriate thing is to carry out a diagnosis as soon as possible and establish a treatment that helps to balance the values of this substance.
The best way to know the values of this substance is through a blood analysis, which offers the real values of direct bilirubin, total indirect and. When the values are lower than normal, no treatment is necessary, as they do not pose a danger.
How to act in case of high values
From Health Mapfre they explain that it is necessary to act before a high rise in bilirubin values in the body. Thus, a blood analysis is the best test to confirm blood levels and alterations of other possible elements.
Next, it is normal for doctors to carry out specialist imaging studies aimed at mainly to study the liver and gallbladder.
It is also possible that a liver biopsy and laparoscopy are carried out, which are invasive surgical procedures that could be performed in case the levels of this substance is too worrying.