Direct bilirubin is one of the parts of the common bilirubin, which is part of the bile. This is the pigment that forms in the liver. It appears as a result of the cleavage of such proteins as hemoglobin, cytochrome and myoglobin. Disintegration occurs in the bone marrow, spleen and liver, wherece the resulting products are excreted from the body through bile.
In what cases are they sent for tests showing bilirubin?
There are several main features, because of which they are most often directed to the delivery of analyzes of this indicator:
- liver disease;
- bile output delay;
- suspicion of jaundice.
The norm of direct bilirubin is 0-3.4 μmol / l. Before you pass the test, you can not eat. You can only drink clean water. In this case, the result can affect several factors: fatty foods, starvation, many medications (antibiotics, oral contraceptives, barbiturates and others). Because of all this, bilirubin levels are often not accurate.
Increased direct bilirubin
An elevated level of direct bilirubin indicates some liver pathologies.
Most often this indicates the presence in the body of one or more infectious diseases:
- viral hepatitis;
- mononucleosis ;
- syphilis;
- parasitic infestations.
In addition, problems with outflow of direct bilirubin may appear due to:
- reception of hepatotoxic medicines;
- fatty hepatosis of pregnant women;
- oncological liver disease;
- cholecystitis and cholangitis;
- hereditary diseases.
Gallstone obstruction - clogging of the bile ducts, which occurs as a result of the corresponding disease. It can also occur due to problems with the pancreas, mechanical jaundice, biliary cirrhosis.
Reduced direct bilirubin
Low bilirubin in medical practice is rare. The reasons for such indicators are still being studied by scientists from all over the world - they believe that this phenomenon in the future will have a serious impact on human health in general.
Most often, a low level of this indicator is the result of an incorrect delivery of the analysis itself. There are several main factors affecting the change in results:
- use of alcoholic or caffeinated beverages;
- reception of glucocorticoids, antibiotics and even ascorbic acid.
The mechanisms that lead to a decrease in bilirubin have not yet been fully studied. To obtain a more accurate blood test for direct bilirubin, you need:
- The day before the trip to the laboratory to give up fatty, fried (heavy) food, so as not to load the liver, ideally - there are baked or steamed vegetables, boiled chicken, porridges.
- For half a month before blood donation, stop taking medication, or try to limit their number as much as tablets often increase the concentration of substances, which will significantly complicate the task.
- For a day to give up physical exertion, including sports, as this affects the work of the liver.
- Avoid emotional stress - stresses can change blood counts.
If it became known from the analyzes about the underestimated results of bilirubin, then at first it is necessary to remember whether all the cautions were observed. If nevertheless one of the items has been violated - the tests must be reissued. With confirmation, you can already safely say that this is a deviation from the norm.
Many scientists argue that low rates are directly related to heart disease, in particular ischemia. This is a serious disease, therefore, when receiving similar results, it is necessary to urgently go to the cardiologist, where it will be necessary to take new tests.