What is bilirubin?
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Bilirubin is the yellow breakdown product of heme catabolism (heme is the principal component of hemoglobin, present in red blood cells). Bilirubin is excreted in bile, and its levels are elevated in certain diseases.
Bilirubin is the yellow breakdown product of heme catabolism (heme is the principal component of hemoglobin, present in red blood cells). Bilirubin is excreted in bile, and its levels are elevated in certain diseases. More -
Healthwise answered:Bilirubin is a substance produced by the breakdown of old red blood cells and hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Bilirubin is removed from the body through the digestive system as part of the bile from the liver.
Normally, the body is constantly making new red blood cells and breaking down old ones. The amount of bilirubin in a person's blood is usually very low. Higher-than-normal amounts of bilirubin in the blood cause a person's skin and eyes to become yellow (jaundice). A blockage in the bile duct or certain medical conditions, such as liver disease, may cause bilirubin levels to rise to an unhealthy level.
Newborns often have high amounts of bilirubin in their blood. In most cases, the baby's system will become better able to eliminate the bilirubin within days. But a baby may need medical attention if the yellowing appears to increase after the third day of life or has not decreased by the fifth day.
Bilirubin is a substance produced by the breakdown of old red blood cells and hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the rest of the body. Bilirubin is removed from the body through the digestive system as... More -
Dr. Rupa Seetharamaiah of Baptist Health South Florida answered:Bilirubin is a pigment that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. It creates the yellow color in bile, the fluid made by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. About 25% of gallstones are "pigmented stones," formed when there is too much bilirubin in bile.
High levels of bilirubin in the body can also cause the skin and the whites of the eyes to look yellow, a condition known as jaundice. Call your doctor if your skin or the whites of your eyes appear yellow.Bilirubin is a pigment that comes from the breakdown of red blood cells. It creates the yellow color in bile, the fluid made by your liver and stored in your gallbladder. About 25% of gallstones are "pigmented stones," formed when there is too much... More
