Lab test · Hepatology
Bilirubin (Total, Direct and Indirect)
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 substance made when old red blood cells are broken down. It is carried to the liver, which changes it into a form that can leave the body in bile. This test measures total bilirubin and its two parts, direct (processed by the liver) and indirect (not yet processed), which helps a doctor find out why someone has jaundice.
Why a doctor may order it
- To look into jaundice, which is yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes
- When you have dark urine, pale stools or itching
- To check for liver conditions such as viral hepatitis
- To check whether gallstones or something else is blocking the bile ducts
- To check for faster breakdown of red blood cells or for Gilbert's syndrome
How to prepare
Fasting: Not needed.
You do not need to fast, and eating normally is best, as going without food for a long time can raise bilirubin in some people. Keep taking your usual medicines unless your doctor advises otherwise.
At home
- Sample
- Blood sample
- How it works
- If you are resting in bed because of jaundice, the collector can take the sample where you are. A small amount of blood is drawn from a vein in your arm, which takes a few minutes.
- Report
- Within 24 hours of collection.
What the results can mean
A raised indirect bilirubin often points to faster breakdown of red blood cells or to Gilbert's syndrome, a common and harmless inherited condition. A raised direct bilirubin usually points to a liver problem, such as hepatitis, or to a blockage of the bile ducts, for example by gallstones. The pattern of the two parts helps your doctor decide which further tests are needed. Your doctor will interpret the result with your symptoms and other liver tests.
What's included
This test reports 3 measurements:
- Total bilirubin
- Direct bilirubin
- Indirect bilirubin
Related tests
- Serum Bilirubin (Total)Bilirubin is a yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)Liver function৳550
- SGPT (Alanine Aminotransferase, ALT)SGPT, also called ALT (alanine aminotransferase), is an enzyme found mainly inside liver cells.
- Hepatitis E IgM Antibody (Anti-HEV IgM)This blood test detects IgM antibodies to the hepatitis E virus, which point to a recent infection.
- Hepatitis A IgM Antibody (Anti-HAV IgM)This blood test looks for IgM antibodies to the hepatitis A virus.
- Hepatitis B Surface Antigen (HBsAg)HBsAg is a protein on the surface of the hepatitis B virus.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between direct and indirect bilirubin?
Indirect bilirubin has not yet been processed by the liver. Direct bilirubin has been processed and is ready to leave in bile. Which one is raised helps show where the problem lies.
What is Gilbert's syndrome?
Gilbert's syndrome is a common inherited condition in which the liver processes bilirubin more slowly. It causes mild rises in indirect bilirubin, especially when fasting or unwell, and is generally harmless.
Why is urine dark in jaundice?
When direct bilirubin builds up in the blood, some of it passes into the urine and makes it dark. Indirect bilirubin does not pass into urine.
What are common causes of jaundice in adults?
Common causes include viral hepatitis, such as hepatitis A, B and E, gallstones blocking the bile duct, alcohol-related liver disease and red cell breakdown. Your doctor will look for the cause.
How much does a Bilirubin test cost in Dhaka?
With Mukti Health the price is ৳350, 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.