What is a Dangerous Level of Bilirubin in Adults?

Dangerous Bilirubin Levels in Adults: Causes, Ranges & Warnings 

While removing the iron from haemoglobin, red blood cells (RBCs) break down into vital substances and bilirubin. Bilirubin is a yellowish protein substance in blood that travels through the body's digestive tract, gallbladder, and liver. Higher levels of bilirubin among adults are a sign of underlying health issues, including liver damage, gallstones, and jaundice.

Read on to understand the need for performing a bilirubin test, the high range of bilirubin, and its symptoms in the body.  

Dangerous Level of Bilirubin in Adults

Excessive breakdowns of RBCs in the blood, liver struggles and improper functioning of biliary systems are the primary causes of high bilirubin levels. Here, the bilirubin range referencing table indicates normal to dangerous levels, such as an elevated level of bilirubin.

Well, a low bilirubin level is not a cause for serious health concerns. The below 0.3 ranges are considered low bilirubin levels. This health condition can result from inflammatory and autoimmune conditions like polymyositis, rheumatoid arthritis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.

Normal Values of Bilirubin in Adults

Bilirubin level interpretation may vary based on the individual patient and clinical context. The normal range of direct bilirubin should be under 0.3 mg/dL.

• For adults and those above 18, normal bilirubin levels generally range between 0.1 and 1.2 mg/dL (milligrams per decilitre).
• For children, doctors consider a typical level of 0.2 to 1.2 of the normal bilirubin range.
• In fact, for newborns, a slightly high range between 1.0 and 12.0 mg/dL is considerable.

Importance of Performing Bilirubin Test for Adults

A bilirubin test helps monitor and diagnose liver conditions, assess jaundice severity, blood disorders, and effective treatments for affected conditions. The high level of bilirubin indicates a risk of liver diseases, haemolytic anaemia, bile duct obstruction, etc. Besides, low-level bilirubin is a rare condition that occurs due to chronic liver disease, malnutrition and medication problems.

Therefore, performing bilirubin level analysis may help to detect and diagnose overall health issues, regarding:

• Hepatitis
• Jaundice
• Liver Disease
• Cirrhosis
• Liver Blockages
• Gallbladder Stone
• Bile Duct Blockages
• Haemolytic Disorder
• Anaemia   

Symptoms of High Bilirubin Levels in Adults

If high bilirubin is left untreated, it can lead to health complications, including intellectual disabilities, brain damage, kernicterus, vision loss, etc. Common symptoms of high bilirubin levels in health conditions are:

• Persistent abdominal pain or tenderness
• Bloody or black stools
• A disoriented or drowsy feeling
• Fever at or above 101 degrees
• Vomiting blood
• Purple or red skin rashes
• Chest pain
• Nausea
• Unusual Dark or Yellowish Urine

High bilirubin levels, indicating ranges at and above 4.0 mg/dL, are symptoms of severe health conditions such as liver dysfunction, failure, gallstones, and jaundice. Once a person notices abdominal pain, drowsiness, black stool, fever, and vomiting blood, they should consult a doctor to seek immediate treatment.