If your gallbladder is not working right could it cause your bilirubin level to go up?

Absolutely: It absolutely can. The liver and biliary system are responsible for clearing bilirubin which is a byproduct of the breakdown of red blood cells. The reasons for increasing levels are increased breakdown of blood, liver problems, or problems dumping it into the bowel. Gallbladder dysfunction, most commonly stones, can obstruct the clearance of bile/bilirubin.

Yes: If your gall bladder is not functioning correctly, it can result in your liver not functioning properly. Normal liver and gall bladder function are necessary to keep your bilirubin levels normal and not elevated. If your bilirubin level rises, you may develop jaundice with yellowing of the skin and eyes.

It could: Elevations in bilirubrin can be caused by a variety of things, including disorders of the hepato-biliary system. Functional disorders of the gb should not raise your bilirubin, but obstructions arising from the gb could indeed cause an elevation in your bilirubin. You should be further evaluated.

Depends on stones: Gall bladder disease per se does not elevation in serum bilirubin. However, stones in the gall bladder are a common disorder and the stones can move and block the bile duct. This blockage to the flow of bile can results in increase in bilirubin. Such blockage causes increase in total and direct bilirubin.

Seldom: The stone must be in the common bile duct that leads from the liver to the gut. This will raise the conjugated bilirubin. It is a common mistake to think that a gallstone blocking the gall bladder will raise the serum bilirubin. Worth knowing is that maybe 5% of people normally run a high indirect bilirubin (gilbert's) which increased when they get hungry. Causes lots of confusion.