Question 1

what causes the bilirubin to build up?

Accepted Answer

Dead blood: It usually depends on age genetics and liver disease. In newborns the liver is not well developed so it cannot process the bilirubin which develops due to dead blood needing to be recycled. In adults there is a genetic cause which is of no significant concern - gilbert's syndrome . But, the other usual culprit could be liver disease due to alcohol abuse, hepatitis, or chronic meds use.

Question 2

if bilirubin starts to build up. does it build in the entire body or just the blood stream, because the body is 70% water?

Accepted Answer

Bilirubin excretion: If bilirubin levels are high, substances formed when bile is broken down may accumulate, causing itching all over the body. But jaundice itself causes few other symptoms in adults. However, in newborns with jaundice high bilirubin levels (hyperbilirubinemia) can cause a form of brain damage called kernicterus.
Besides depositing in skin. white of eye (jaundice) ,brain, stools,   spills in  urine.

Question 3

i have a bilirubin level of 31.7 umol/l & my liver us showed fat build up.all other blood levels are within normal range. bmi is 21. any huge concern?

Accepted Answer

Elevation of bilirub: Isolated in a young man can be due to Gilberts disease which is a benign congenital condition with defect in the glucorindation of bilirubin. However the etiology of the fatty liver is unclear. I guess a GI specialist will help since your BMI is normal

Question 4

43 yr male. pancreatic cancer worry. multicolor stools lt brwn/dk brwn/chalk. if bilirubin not getting to stool causes pale stools, doesnt bilirubin build up in body? why no jaundice? dark urine? bilirubin lvls normal. other reason for pale stool?

Accepted Answer

: You may have an intermittent gall bladder blockage by stones of gravel and boil is not up enough of long enough to develop jaundice. 
Ask about GB studies and check family history of GB  disease.  Could also be cancer of ampulla of Vader that blocks then blocking piece of Ca sloughs off and duct opens again. Have team check stool guaiac as you may bleed when piece of cancer falls off. Discuss.

Question 5

was in er on friday high bilirubin pain in upper left abdomen getting worse. follow up wednesday with doc. what do i do till then for pain?

Accepted Answer

Tykenolup to 2g a da: You may take up to 2g tylenol (acetaminophen), (acetaminophen) or Norco with up to 2g tylenol (acetaminophen).

Question 6

cirohsis, bilirubin 4.2, heart ef 20-25%, brain stroke , left side weak, bp is very low, stable with saline sol.pulse fluctuating.pl advice?

Accepted Answer

Severe illness: This is multiorgan failure, and the outlook is not great, but the only way to assess this is to be the doctor in charge of managing the patient. In addition to determining the therapy there should be discussions on end of life decision making. Hope this was helpful.

Question 7

i am a 21 year male. i have got high bp (146/109) , pain in left hand, headache, breathlessness , since last 3/4 days . i have done lft , kft . all values are in normal range but bilirubin is very high(3.3) . what is the problem and the solution?

Accepted Answer

: This is not a constellation of signs &amp; symptoms that should be sorted out here. You need to go to your primary doctor NOW for additional tests &amp; exams (e.g., xrays, EKGs, Echocardiograms, toxicology screens, chemistries). What you describe could be due to congestive heart failure. At your age, this could be from an undiagnosed pre-existing congenital anomaly or the result of toxins or drugs.

Question 8

test positive w/ dip stick bilirubin in your urine? what doctor do you follow up w/ & what test do they do? side ache/back ache/left pelvic ache.

Accepted Answer

Bilirubin: The dip stick tests are not that reliable for this.  If you are concerned and your doctor is concerned, you could follow up with a gastroenterologist.

Question 9

hello, i am 28 year old male who currently has issues with bloating, burping and pain in the upper abdomen (left and right). additionally stools have been dark grey or tan in color. liver tests taken in feb were normal, including total bilirubin 0.2?

Accepted Answer

: Your burping and pain in upper abdomen raise the possibility of an Acid reflux(sometimes called GERD).
You should visit your PCP for treatment. Alternatively, try a 2 week course of an antacid like Pepcid which is available over the counter.
A stronger medicine called PPI may be needed in case Pepcid did not eliminate the problem.

Question 10

what can cause urine test to have small amounts of bilirubin, ketones & blood? upper left abdomen pain/tenderness with nausea

Accepted Answer

Pain and tenderness: There are a number of organs in or near the upper left abdomen.
You need immediate attention. If your doctor cannot see you today please go straight to the nearest Emergency Room.

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Doctor answers about:

What happens if a build up of bilirubin is left untreated

A member asked:

What causes the bilirubin to build up?

A member asked:

If bilirubin starts to build up. does it build in the entire body or just the blood stream, because the body is 70% water?

A member asked:

I have a bilirubin level of 31.7 umol/l & my liver us showed fat build up.all other blood levels are within normal range. bmi is 21. any huge concern?

A member asked:

43 yr male. pancreatic cancer worry. multicolor stools lt brwn/dk brwn/chalk. if bilirubin not getting to stool causes pale stools, doesnt bilirubin build up in body? why no jaundice? dark urine? bilirubin lvls normal. other reason for pale stool?

A member asked:

Was in er on friday high bilirubin pain in upper left abdomen getting worse. follow up wednesday with doc. what do i do till then for pain?

A member asked:

Cirohsis, bilirubin 4.2, heart ef 20-25%, brain stroke , left side weak, bp is very low, stable with saline sol.pulse fluctuating.pl advice?

A member asked:

I am a 21 year male. i have got high bp (146/109) , pain in left hand, headache, breathlessness , since last 3/4 days . i have done lft , kft . all values are in normal range but bilirubin is very high(3.3) . what is the problem and the solution?

A member asked:

Test positive w/ dip stick bilirubin in your urine? what doctor do you follow up w/ & what test do they do? side ache/back ache/left pelvic ache.

A member asked:

Hello, i am 28 year old male who currently has issues with bloating, burping and pain in the upper abdomen (left and right). additionally stools have been dark grey or tan in color. liver tests taken in feb were normal, including total bilirubin 0.2?

A member asked:

What can cause urine test to have small amounts of bilirubin, ketones & blood? upper left abdomen pain/tenderness with nausea

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