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What Causes Mildly Raised Bilirubin Levels?

Posted on Mon, 6 Oct 2014

Question: Bilirubin at 1.3-1.5 on last 3 blood tests taken in past two weeks. Is this not concerning given that the other enzymes and cbc levels are normal?

Upper limit of reference range on this lab shows as 1.2

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Gilbert's disease should be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

You have mildly raised bilirubin level.Since liver enzymes level are normal,Gilbert's disease should be ruled out.

Usually Gilbert's disease is asymptomatic but mild jaundice may appear after exertion,stress,fasting,infection etc.

Gilbert's syndrome usually does not need any treatment.It is considered as a harmless condition.However,other conditions like cholestasis etc should also be ruled out.
Ultrasound of abdomen can be done for screening.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (26 minutes later)

Okay thank you doctor. Is this something that you would consider serious or alarming? Or a better way of asking- does this sound something that could be life threatening like cancer, or a bad liver disease?

If something were blocking the bile would I most likely see increases in other values as well, like the AST ALT and Alkaline Phosphate? 2 years ago I had an abdominal ultrasound that showed a simple fatty liver, but my doctor had no concern because there was no damage and my liver numbers were fine.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

You shouldn't worry at all.You are not suffering from cancer or bad liver disease etc.
Since liver enzymes are within normal limit so Gilbert's disease may be the reason for increased bilirubin level.
Fatty liver is a reversible condition.You should increase your physical activity and go for exercise,walking.
You should avoid saturated fat.Lipid profile should also be checked.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (3 minutes later)

Okay you just brought up cholestasis so I wondered if you were suggesting a malignancy? So I have no reason to be concerned about a deadly disease here? Nothing at all suggests that?

Thanks so much for the help

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

I just elicited few possibilities.Increased bilirubin may be due to many reasons like hepatitis,cholestasis,hemolysis,tumour etc.But in these cases different enzyme level also get altered.

You have benign finding and it is not malignant at all.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Indu Kumar (10 minutes later)

Okay thank you doctor. So given that the condition is benign as all other levels are good, and my general doctor did not show concern enough to note it, can I just follow up with the same test at my next annual physical checkup to make sure things are the same or better, as opposed to doing more investigation now? Is this an okay approach? In the meantime I would cutout all alcohol (I inly drink moderately) and try to introduce more vegetable and fruit into my diet.

Answered by Dr. Indu Kumar (5 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please find detail answer below.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Your doctor has rightly advised for follow up.
Fatty liver may be due to alcohol intake.You should try to quit it completely.
It is good that you are taking healthy diet.

Get well soon.
Hope I have answered your question.
Further queries are most welcome.

Take Care
Dr.Indu XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar