bilirubin unconjugated in serum (indirect bilirubin)

Reference interval

• Adults: 0.0 - 1.1 mg/dL
• Neonates: 0.6 - 10.5 mg/dL

Principle

• see bilirubin (conjugated/unconjugated) in serum

Preparation:

• see bilirubin (conjugated/unconjugated) in serum

Clinical significance

• see bilirubin (conjugated/unconjugated) in serum
• in a stress situation, erthropoiesis & unconjugated bilirubin can increase 10-fold
• serum bilirubin will not exceed 4 mg/dL in patients with normal liver function
• hemolysis can lead to very high unconjugated bilirubin in patients with even mild hepatic disease

Increases

• hemolytic disorders
• Gilbert's Syndrome
• Crigler-Najjar Syndrome
• neonatal jaundice
• ineffective erythropoiesis
• in the presence of drugs competing for glucuronide

Specimen

• see bilirubin (conjugated/unconjugated) in serum

More general terms

• bilirubin (conjugated/unconjugated) in serum
• bilirubin unconjugated in body fluid

Additional terms

• bilirubin (total) in serum/plasma (TBIL)
• bilirubin diglucuronide; conjugated bilirubin; direct bilirubin
• drugs that may affect liver function tests (LFTs)