Synonyms

   Conjugated bilirubin

Clinical Significance

   It is useful for Evaluation of jaundice and liver functions

Specimen

   Serum

Stability

   Refrigerated (preferred) : 24 hours (LIGHT PROTECTED specimen container)

   Frozen : 30 days (LIGHT PROTECTED specimen container)

   Ambient : 6 hours (LIGHT PROTECTED specimen container)

Reference Range

   < 0.3 mg/dL

Interpretation

   Direct bilirubin levels must be assessed in conjunction with total and indirect levels and the clinical setting. Elevated direct (conjugated) bilirubin can be caused by a number of conditions, including:

       Liver disease, such as viral or autoimmune hepatitis, or alcoholic liver disease

       Gallstones

       Gallbladder inflammation or tumors

       Inflamed pancreas (pancreatitis) or appendix (appendicitis)

       Some rare genetic disorders

Limitation

   Specimens should be protected from light and analyzed as soon as possible; grossly hemolyzed specimens should be rejected because hemoglobin inhibits the diazo reaction and falsely low results may be seen.