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Family Medicine (Expert Forum)
High Bilirubin
Answered by
Kevin Pho, MD - Internal Medicine
KevinMD.com
Questions in the Family Medicine forum are answered by Dr. J.M. Keyes. Topics covered include general health issues, adolescence, babies, child health, eating disorders, fitness, immunizations and vaccines, infectious diseases, medical tests and procedures, and senior health.
High Bilirubin
by Confused_again, Jan 30, 2006 12:00AM
I am a 26 year old healthy male. I recently had a complete physical. The lab results indicate that everything is fine, except for High Potassium (5.5 MMOL/L) and high Bilrubin. The direct Bilirubin is 0.4 MG/DL and the total Bilrubin is 2.4 MG/DL. Other liver test results were fine (ALT , AST, ALP, GGT, Globulin ,LDH, and Total Protein). I am wondering if I should be concerned about the high Potassium and Billirubin and if they indicate that there's something wrong with my health. Do I need further testing? Thank you very much.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Pho, MD, Jan 31, 2006 12:00AM
, Jan 31, 2006 12:00AM
With the high potassium, you would want to check the creatinine level to ensure the kidney function remains normal. Repeating the potassium level to ensure it isn't lab error should be considered.
An isolated elevated bilirubin, in the face of normal liver function tests, would be suggestive of possible Gilbert's syndrome. This is a hereditary disorder of bilirubin metabolism - and normally requires no treatment.
To ensure that there isn't anything more serious going on, I would suggest a liver ultrasound to rule out any other liver disease.
This option can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
An isolated elevated bilirubin, in the face of normal liver function tests, would be suggestive of possible Gilbert's syndrome. This is a hereditary disorder of bilirubin metabolism - and normally requires no treatment.
To ensure that there isn't anything more serious going on, I would suggest a liver ultrasound to rule out any other liver disease.
This option can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
kevinmd_b
Member Comments (1)
by Confused_again, Jan 31, 2006 12:00AM
Forgot to add that I did take 4 to 5 mortrins in the 4-5 days before the test, not sure if it's significant.
