What is total bilirubin

summary

My friend's child has jaundice. I heard that the child's total bilirubin is on the high side. Many friends are not very clear about the total bilirubin. What is the total bilirubin?

What is total bilirubin

First of all, bilirubin is a kind of bile pigment, it is the main pigment in human bile, orange yellow. It is the main metabolite of iron porphyrins in the body, toxic, can cause irreversible damage to the brain and nervous system, but also has antioxidant function, can inhibit the oxidation of linoleic acid and phospholipid. Bilirubin is not only an important basis for clinical diagnosis of jaundice, but also an important indicator of liver function.

Secondly, the liver, spleen, bone marrow and other mononuclear phagocytic system will phagocytize the aging and abnormal red blood cells, decompose hemoglobin, generate and release free bilirubin. This bilirubin is non binding (not combined with glucuronic acid, etc.), fat soluble, has little solubility in water, and combines with plasma albumin in blood. Because of its stable binding and insoluble in water, it cannot be excreted by the kidney. Bilirubin qualitative test showed indirect positive reaction. So this bilirubin is called unconjugated bilirubin.

Finally, the antioxidant function of bilirubin, in vitro experiments show that bilirubin may be an endogenous antioxidant. Bilirubin plays an important role in the regeneration of hepatocytes. The ratio of bilirubin to albumin affects the regeneration of hepatocytes. Bilirubin plays an important role in traditional Chinese medicine. In China, bilirubin has always been an important part of artificial bezoar. The new discovery of physiological function of bilirubin has brought dawn for us to elaborate the pharmacological mechanism of artificial bezoar from the molecular level.

matters needing attention

Total bilirubin is usually maintained in a balanced state, which is also a phenomenon of physical health. If there is any abnormal situation, it is necessary to go to the hospital for examination in time, and carry out conditioning and treatment according to their own situation.