Test Name

Total Bilirubin

Sample Type

Serum (venous blood)

Fasting Required

❌ Not mandatory, but 8–10 hours fasting preferred for accuracy

Normal Range

0.2 – 1.2 mg/dL (may vary slightly by lab)

Organs Involved

Liver, Spleen, Gallbladder, Bile Ducts, Bone Marrow

🧪 Detect Jaundice

Yellowing of skin/eyes caused by elevated bilirubin

🩻 Evaluate Liver Function

Helps diagnose liver diseases (hepatitis, cirrhosis, tumors)

🧒 Assess Newborn Jaundice

Critical in early life to avoid brain damage from severe hyperbilirubinemia

🧫 Screen for Hemolysis

If unconjugated bilirubin is elevated

🚫 Check for Bile Duct Obstruction

If conjugated bilirubin is elevated

Unconjugated (Indirect)

Fat-soluble, not processed by liver yet

Hemolysis, Gilbert’s Syndrome

Conjugated (Direct)

Water-soluble, processed by liver

Hepatitis, bile duct blockage, cholestasis

Total Bilirubin

Sum of both

Used for initial screening

Pre-hepatic

Hemolysis, thalassemia, malaria

Hepatic

Hepatitis, cirrhosis, liver cancer

Post-hepatic

Gallstones, biliary atresia, tumors blocking bile ducts

Genetic Disorders

Gilbert’s syndrome, Crigler–Najjar syndrome, Dubin–Johnson

Direct & Indirect Bilirubin

To determine the cause (hepatic vs. hemolytic vs. obstructive)

Liver Function Test (LFT)

Includes ALT, AST, ALP, GGT, Albumin

CBC & Reticulocyte Count

To rule out hemolysis

Ultrasound Abdomen

To check for gallstones or obstruction

Hepatitis Panel

If hepatitis is suspected

Sample Type

Serum

Fasting

Optional (recommended for better consistency)

Normal Range

0.2 – 1.2 mg/dL

Used To Detect

Jaundice, liver dysfunction, hemolysis, bile duct blockage

Next Tests

Direct/Indirect Bilirubin, LFT, Imaging, Hepatitis Panel