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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Should High Billirubin Levels Worry Us ?

a friend tells me he has bilirubin levels at 3 times the limit (range 1-20? his was 63 or something). But a scan last year (when it was also high, about 50) didn't show any liver problems. He doesn't worry much, but I was curious. He seems very fit to me. Could it just be high naturally?
posted on Sun, 23 Feb 2014
Twitter Mon, 24 Feb 2014 Answered on
Twitter Tue, 25 Feb 2014 Last reviewed on
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General Surgeon,  's  Response
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

For sure his bilirubin is not around 50 or 60. Such limit would rather cause death. He may have elevated bilirubin level due liver diseases like liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver viral infection; alcohol intake, medicines overuse, bile ducts obstruction, pancreas cancer, hemolysis, Gylberts disease.
As you can see there is a lot of possibilities. That is why its really hard to give precise answer not knowing much about your friend.
He should have some tests to find the reason including liver tests (AST,ALT,GGTP,AP), direct and indirect bilirubin, HbSAg, Anti-HCV, abdominal ultrasound, urine analysis.

Hope this will help.
Regards.
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Should High Billirubin Levels Worry Us ?

Hello! Thank you for the query. For sure his bilirubin is not around 50 or 60. Such limit would rather cause death. He may have elevated bilirubin level due liver diseases like liver cirrhosis, fatty liver, liver viral infection; alcohol intake, medicines overuse, bile ducts obstruction, pancreas cancer, hemolysis, Gylberts disease. As you can see there is a lot of possibilities. That is why its really hard to give precise answer not knowing much about your friend. He should have some tests to find the reason including liver tests (AST,ALT,GGTP,AP), direct and indirect bilirubin, HbSAg, Anti-HCV, abdominal ultrasound, urine analysis. Hope this will help. Regards.