Description
Bilirubin, Fractionated - Measurement of the levels of bilirubin is used in the diagnosis and treatment of liver, hemolytic, hematologic, and metabolic disorders, including hepatitis and gall bladder obstructive disease. Bilirubin has direct and indirect components. Elevated levels in acute or chronic hepatitis, gall bladder disease cause jaundice.
Direct bilirubin levels rise in gall bladder stones, obstruction, cholangitis, etc. Bilirubin circulates in the bloodstream in two forms: Indirect (or unconjugated) bilirubin. Indirect bilirubin does not dissolve in water and it travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is changed into a soluble form. After indirect bilirubin has been changed by the liver into a form that dissolves in water (soluble), it is called direct or conjugated bilirubin.
Total bilirubin and direct bilirubin levels are measured directly in the blood, whereas indirect bilirubin levels are derived from the total and direct bilirubin measurements. This test evaluate Direct Bilirubin, Indirect Bilirubin (calculated), Total Bilirubin.
