Bilirubin in the blood - an important diagnostic indicator of diseases of the digestive system

Everyone at least once in his life met with the term "bilirubin in the blood", giving tests in a clinic or hospital. But very few people understand how great the value of this indicator.

Bilirubin is the main pigment, bile, yellow-red color, formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin. This determines the coloration of the yellow color of bruises on the third day and the skin with jaundice.

The total amount of bilirubin contains two fractions - direct and indirect, each of which has its own significance. When hemoglobin, myoglobin, other blood proteins are destroyed by special reticuloendothelial cells, an indirect or free fraction is released, which then enters the liver and binds to glucuronic acid, turning into a bound or direct fraction.

Normal values (according to Iendrashek): total bilirubin - 8.5-20.5 μmol / l, direct - 0-5.1 μmol / l. In pregnant women in the third trimester and newborns of the first month of life, a physiological increase in the pigment is observed.

The level of bilirubin is quite simple. On an empty stomach (no earlier than 8 hours after the last meal), the patient gives blood from the vein. At the same time, it is necessary to refrain from taking medications, alcohol, fatty foods, and heavy physical exertion. When tested in the blood, a diazo-reactive is added, after which the bound fraction is stained with pink - this is a direct reaction. And the free fraction does not react, so an organic solvent is added to the tube, making it possible to release it - this is an indirect reaction. The blood test for bilirubin will be ready within 24 hours.

If bilirubin in the blood exceeds the level of 27 μmol / l, jaundice develops (hyperbilirubinemia), which is manifested by the yellowing of the skin, sclera and mucous membranes. In addition, patients can experience rapid heartbeat, fever, darkening of urine. There may be complaints about unpleasant sensations in the left hypochondrium, headaches, general weakness.

Elevated bilirubin in the blood can be a consequence of one of the following main reasons:

1. If the outflow of bile is violated (for example, cholelithiasis).
2. If the secretion of direct bilirubin in bile is impaired.
3. If there are liver diseases that affect the metabolism of bilirubin.
4. If an insufficient number of enzymes responsible for the transformation of bilirubin is released, or their function is impaired.
5. If the amount of decaying red blood cells exceeds the norm (for example, hemolytic anemia).

There are 3 degrees of severity of jaundice:

1. Light - bilirubin in the blood does not exceed 85 μmol / l.
2. The average is 86-169 μmol / l.
3. Heavy - more than 170 micromol / l.

With an increased level of bilirubin, a doctor prescribes treatment! First of all, it will depend on the cause of the revealed pathology. The first stage of treatment is diet. The patient should completely eliminate the food, "heavy" for the liver: fried, salted, smoked, fatty, alcoholic, spicy, etc. It is also necessary to limit the amount of salt, coffee and bread. At the same time in the diet should be increased consumption of liquid and cereal cereals.

Of the herbs fit chamomile, St. John's wort, motherwort, mint, dog rose, birch leaves. They are applied separately and in mixtures in the form of infusions on water. They are complementary to the main treatment.

Depending on the causes of the pathology, the doctor can prescribe a number of medications that help normalize the level of bilirubin, support the liver, cleanse the intestines and enhance the protective properties of the body.

Bilirubin in the blood is an important diagnostic indicator of a number of diseases of the digestive system. It helps to identify pathology, even if there are no symptoms, therefore it is included in the examination of any patient.