Every person at least once in his life met with the term "bilirubin in the blood", taking tests in a clinic or hospital. But few people understand how big the value of this indicator is.
Bilirubin is the main pigment, bile, yellow-red in color, formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin. This determines the yellow color of bruises on the third day and skin with jaundice.
The total amount of bilirubin contains two fractions - direct and indirect, each of which has its own meaning. When hemoglobin, myoglobin, and other blood proteins are destroyed by special reticuloendothelial cells, an indirect or free fraction is released, which then enters the liver and binds to glucuronic acid, turning into a bound or direct fraction.
Normal values (according to Yendrashek): total bilirubin - 8.5-20.5 µmol/l, direct - 0-5.1 µmol/l. In pregnant women in the third trimester and newborns in the first month of life, a physiological increase in pigment is observed.
Levelbilirubin is determined quite simply. On an empty stomach (not earlier than 8 hours after the last meal), the patient donates blood from a vein. At the same time, it is necessary to refuse to take drugs, alcohol, fatty foods, and heavy physical exertion. In the study, a diazo reagent is added to the blood, after which the bound fraction turns pink - this is a direct reaction. And the free fraction does not react, so an organic solvent is added to the test tube, making it possible to release it - this is an indirect reaction. A blood test for bilirubin will be ready within 24 hours.
If bilirubin in the blood exceeds the level of 27 µmol/l, jaundice (hyperbilirubinemia) develops, which is manifested by yellowness of the skin, sclera and mucous membranes. In addition, patients may experience palpitations, fever, dark urine. There may be complaints of discomfort in the left hypochondrium, headaches, general weakness.
Elevated bilirubin in the blood may be due to one of the following main reasons:
- If the outflow of bile is impaired (for example, gallstone disease).
- If the secretion of direct bilirubin into bile is impaired.
- If you have liver disease affecting bilirubin metabolism.
- If an insufficient amount of enzymes responsible for the conversion of bilirubin is secreted, or their function is impaired.
- If the number of decaying red blood cells exceeds the norm (for example, hemolytic anemia).
There are 3 degrees of severity of jaundice:
- Light - bilirubin in the blood does not exceed85 µmol/l.
- Average - 86-169 µmol/l.
- Severe - more than 170 µmol/L.
When the level of bilirubin is elevated, the doctor prescribes treatment! First of all, it will depend on the cause of the identified pathology. The first step in treatment is diet. The patient must completely exclude food that is “heavy” for the liver: fried, s alty, smoked, fatty, alcohol, spicy, etc. It is also necessary to limit the amount of s alt, coffee and bread. At the same time, the intake of liquids and cereals should be increased in the diet.
Chamomile, St. John's wort, motherwort, mint, wild rose, birch leaves are suitable from herbs. They are used separately and in mixtures in the form of infusions on water. They are an addition to the main treatment.
Depending on the causes of the pathology, the doctor may prescribe a number of drugs that help normalize the level of bilirubin, support the liver, cleanse the intestines and increase the protective properties of the body.
Bilirubin in the blood is an important diagnostic indicator of a number of diseases of the digestive system. It helps to identify the pathology, even if there are no symptoms, therefore it is included in the examination of any patient.
