HIGH BILIRUBEN

ABOUT EIGHT MONTHS AGO, MY HUSBAND WENT FOR A ROUTINE PHYSICAL IN WHICH THE DR. TOLD HIM HE HAD AN ELEVATED BILIRUBEN LEVEL AND THAT IT SHOULD BE FOLLOWED UP.  WE HAD NO IDEA WHAT IT WAS SO I RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT IT HAD TO DO WITH LIVER FUNCTION. MY HUSBAND NEVER FOLLOWED UP ON IT AND NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME HE HAS BEEN FEELING "NOT HIMSELF" AND IS SUFFERING FROM CHRONIC DIARREAH (diarrhea).  WE HAVE NO HEALTH INSURANCE SO HE REFUSES TO GET CHECKED.  MY HUSBAND IS A REFORMED ALCOHOLIC 12 YEARS. BUT DID SUFFER FROM ALCOHOISM FOR APPROXIAMETELY 10 YEARS PRIOR TO HIS SOBRIETY.  WHAT CAN YOU TELL US? IS ELEVATED BILIRUBEN AND CHRONIC DIARREAH (diarrhea) A SIGN OF A LIVER DISEASE?????

[Kevin Pho, MD]

There can be many reasons for an elevated bilirubin.  Various liver disease can be associated with this.  Further liver damage can be suggested if the other liver enzymes (i.e. the ALT or AST) are elevated.  

You can consider an ultrasound to evaluate for any anatomical liver disease.

If only the bilirubin is elevated (i.e. the other liver tests are normal), you can consider something like Gilbert's syndrome.  This is a benign disease and can be monitored serially.  However, you want to exclude more serious causes before coming to this conclusion.

You can discuss these options 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.
Medical Weblog:
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