What Could be Causing Elevated Direct Bilirubin Levels?

What Causes Elevated Direct Bilirubin Levels?

Elevated direct bilirubin levels can have various causes, ranging in severity from 'worrying' to 'generally fatal'. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

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Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose elevated direct bilirubin levels, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "elevated direct bilirubin levels" as a symptom. Here are eight of many possibilities (more below):

Cirrhosis Of The Liver
Pancreatic Cancer
Drug Side-Effects
Hepatitis
Bile Duct Cancer
Liver Cancer
Hemolytic Anemia
Gilbert's Syndrome

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

slight abdominal distension

elevated basophil count

blue/bluish fingernails

being medication sensitive

history of bile duct cancer

cigarette smoke sensitivity

very pale stools

recent onset nausea

red palms/fingertips

having elevated melatonin levels

very pale fingernails

mild abdominal discomfort

... and more than 50 others

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of elevated direct bilirubin levels:

Cause	Probability	Status
Cirrhosis Of The Liver	94%	Confirm
Liver Cancer	19%	Unlikely
Pancreatic Cancer	14%	Unlikely
Hepatitis	5%	Ruled out
Bile Duct Cancer	1%	Ruled out
Gilbert's Syndrome	0%	Ruled out
Hemolytic Anemia	0%	Ruled out
Drug Side-Effects	0%	Ruled out

* This is a simple example to illustrate the process

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Bilirubin, direct. Unit: mg/dL [umol/L]

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ 0.0 to 0.3 [0-5] (normal)
→ Recently elevated
→ Chronically elevated

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either normal direct bilirubin level or high direct bilirubin level, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as:

(Prescription) Drug Side-Effects

Certain medicines can damage the liver. Examples include many antibiotics, some types of birth control pill (sex hormones), antipsychotic drugs, and many others.

Bile Duct Cancer

Chemotherapy Side-Effects

Cirrhosis of the Liver

Diseases that cause liver damage can lead to increased bilirubin levels. Cirrhosis may cause normal, moderately high or high levels of bilirubin, depending on the type of cirrhosis.

Gallbladder Disease

Certain health conditions, such as gallstones or an infected gallbladder, can block the bile ducts and lead to an accumulation of bile in the body.

Gilbert's Syndrome

One common – and harmless – cause of elevated bilirubin is Gilbert's syndrome, a deficiency in an enzyme that helps break down bilirubin.

Hemochromatosis (Iron overload)

Hemolytic Anemia

Certain conditions, such as hemolytic anemia, can cause increased destruction of red blood cells and therefore increased bilirubin production.

Hepatitis

Diseases that cause liver damage can lead to increased bilirubin levels. To further investigate the cause of jaundice or increased bilirubin levels, liver function tests or other evidence of infective hepatitis (hepatitis A, B, C, delta, E, etc.) are commonly used.

Liver Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer

Certain diseases, such as pancreatic cancer, can block the bile ducts and lead to an accumulation of bile in the body.

Sickle Cell Trait / Disease

Sickle cell disease causes rapid destruction of red blood cells in the blood, leading to increased bilirubin levels.

Concerned or curious about your health? Try The Analyst™