Lab test · Hepatology
Serum Bilirubin (Total)
Jaundice & liver check
- Blood sample
- No fasting
- Report within 24 hours
- Home collection
What this test is for
Jaundice & liver check
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down. The liver processes it and passes it into bile, which leaves the body in the stool. If too much bilirubin is made, or the liver cannot process or clear it, the level in the blood rises and can turn the skin and eyes yellow (jaundice). This test measures the total amount of bilirubin in your blood.
Why a doctor may order it
- If you have yellow eyes or skin (jaundice), dark urine or pale stools
- To check for liver inflammation such as hepatitis
- To look for a blockage of the bile ducts, for example by gallstones
- If red blood cells may be breaking down too fast (haemolysis)
- To follow jaundice over time
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You can eat and drink as usual beforehand. Keep taking your regular medicines unless your doctor says otherwise. Mention any recent illness or long periods without food, as going without food for a long time can raise bilirubin slightly in some people.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- A trained sample collector comes to your home and draws a small blood sample from a vein in your arm. It takes a few minutes and saves a journey when you are feeling unwell with jaundice.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
The report shows total bilirubin next to the laboratory's reference range. A high level can be caused by liver inflammation, a blocked bile duct, fast breakdown of red blood cells, or Gilbert's syndrome, a common and harmless inherited condition. Your doctor will interpret the result and may order direct and indirect bilirubin or a full liver function test to find the cause.
What's included
One test: Serum Bilirubin (Total), from one blood sample.
Related tests
- Bilirubin (Total, Direct and Indirect)Bilirubin is a yellow substance made when old red blood cells are broken down.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)Liver function৳550
- SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT)Liver health৳150
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)HBsAg is a protein on the surface of the hepatitis B virus.
- Hepatitis A IgM Antibody (Anti-HAV IgM)This blood test looks for IgM antibodies to the hepatitis A virus.
- Hepatitis E IgM Antibody (Anti-HEV IgM)This blood test detects IgM antibodies to the hepatitis E virus, which point to a recent infection.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between total, direct and indirect bilirubin?
Total bilirubin is the sum of direct bilirubin (already processed by the liver) and indirect bilirubin (not yet processed). Splitting them helps your doctor tell whether the cause lies before, within or after the liver.
What is Gilbert's syndrome?
It is a common inherited condition in which the liver processes bilirubin a little more slowly. It can cause mild yellowing during fasting, illness or stress, but it is harmless and needs no treatment.
Can bilirubin be high without liver disease?
Yes. Fast breakdown of red blood cells or Gilbert's syndrome can raise bilirubin while the liver itself is healthy. Your doctor will use other tests to find out.
How much does a Bilirubin test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳150, and the sample is collected at your home in Dhaka. You see the price again before you confirm the booking in the Mukti Health app.
Can I do the Bilirubin test at home in Dhaka?
Yes. Book it in the Mukti Health app and a trained sample collector comes to your home in Dhaka to take the blood sample. You do not need to go to a laboratory.
How long does the Bilirubin report take?
The report is usually ready within 24 hours of the sample being collected.