Is an elevated Bilirubin serious in an adult?
An elevated bilirubin is always a concern. However, there are a few things to take into consideration: Bilirubin is the breakdown product of the hemoglobin in the red cells. Through an involved process, bilirubin is eventually excreted in the bile along with bile acids and salts in the lower gut. These biles salts help in the absorption of fat from the diet. Increased levels of bilirubin are most commonly associated with liver disorders, but there are other (very infrequently occurring) causes of elevated bilirubin levels. Among these, the more common disorder is Gilbert’s Syndrome (pronounced gill-bear) in which the bilirubin produced in the breakdown process is not excreted normally. The result is an increase of unconjugated bilirubin (bilirubin that is not attached to a carrier molecule that makes it easy for the body to excrete). Gilbert’s Syndrome is easily diagnosed and is not a serious problem (an individual with Gilbert’s Syndrome dies with the disorder and not from the disorde
