What are the causes of elevated total bilirubin?

Mar 21, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Gao Jun

Introduction

In general, elevated total bilirubin levels may be caused by factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, neonatal physiological jaundice, hemolytic anemia, viral hepatitis, or alcoholic liver disease. Symptomatic management, including general treatment and medication, may be required. During treatment, it is recommended to maintain healthy lifestyle habits to help strengthen the body's constitution and promote faster recovery.

Generally, elevated total bilirubin levels may be caused by factors such as unhealthy lifestyle habits, physiological jaundice in newborns, hemolytic anemia, viral hepatitis, alcoholic liver disease, and other conditions. Symptomatic management through general treatment or medication may be necessary. If physical discomfort occurs, it is advisable to seek medical examination and treatment at a hospital as soon as possible. Detailed explanations are as follows:

1. Unhealthy Lifestyle Habits

Poor lifestyle habits such as chronic late-night sleeping and intense physical activity may prevent the liver from receiving adequate rest, thereby affecting its function and causing temporary metabolic disturbances that lead to elevated bilirubin levels. Symptoms such as fatigue, difficulty concentrating, and weakness may accompany this. It is recommended to improve lifestyle habits, maintain regular作息, and engage in moderate exercise to help lower total bilirubin levels.

2. Physiological Jaundice in Newborns

After birth, newborns may develop physiological jaundice due to their immature liver function and relatively weak metabolic capacity, which leads to incomplete bilirubin metabolism and elevated total bilirubin levels. This condition is usually transient and resolves spontaneously over time. Close observation of jaundice changes in newborns is recommended.

3. Hemolytic Anemia

In hemolytic anemia, shortened red blood cell lifespan leads to excessive destruction of red blood cells, releasing hemoglobin that gets converted into bilirubin in the body. This exceeds the liver's metabolic capacity, resulting in elevated unconjugated bilirubin levels in the blood. Symptoms such as fatigue, jaundice, and dark urine may occur. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as azathioprine tablets, prednisone acetate tablets, and dexamethasone acetate tablets to alleviate symptoms.

4. Viral Hepatitis

Viral hepatitis caused by infections such as hepatitis A, B, or C viruses damages liver cells and affects the uptake, conversion, and excretion of bilirubin, leading to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and nausea may be present. It is recommended to follow medical advice and use medications such as azathioprine tablets, bicyclol tablets, and recombinant human interferon α2b injection to alleviate symptoms.

5. Alcoholic Liver Disease

Long-term excessive alcohol consumption can cause inflammation and necrosis of liver cells, impairing bilirubin conversion and excretion, which leads to elevated bilirubin levels in the blood. Symptoms such as abdominal discomfort, loss of appetite, and weight loss may occur. It is recommended to quit alcohol consumption completely and, under medical guidance, use medications such as metadoxine capsules, silymarin capsules, and prednisone acetate tablets for treatment.

During treatment, it is recommended to maintain healthy lifestyle habits such as regular作息, moderate exercise, and a light diet, which can help strengthen physical health and promote recovery.

References

[1] Yan Youli. Study on the effect of targeted nursing in reducing serum bilirubin levels in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia [J]. Chinese Medical Guide, 2024, 22(27): 164-166.

[2] Zhang Yang, Li Yongsheng, Wang Jing. Clinical efficacy and impact on immune function of Hepatol capsules, tenofovir alafenamide tablets, and pegylated interferon α-2b in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B [J]. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, 2024, 23(21): 2268-2271.

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What does it mean if total bilirubin levels are elevated?

In general, elevated total bilirubin levels may be caused by neonatal physiological jaundice, improper diet, hemolytic anemia, viral hepatitis, cirrhosis, or other factors. If you experience any discomfort, please seek medical attention promptly and undergo symptomatic treatment under the guidance of a qualified physician. In daily life, maintain a balanced diet, reduce intake of foods rich in bilirubin precursors, ensure adequate nutrition, and avoid overeating.

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What causes high total bilirubin in newborns?

In general, elevated total bilirubin levels in newborns may be caused by delayed passage of meconium, incomplete liver and gallbladder development, hemolysis, congenital hypothyroidism, hepatitis, and other factors. If there are any symptoms of discomfort, it is recommended to seek medical treatment at a hospital promptly. In daily life, after a newborn's birth, regular follow-up visits to the hospital for related examinations are necessary.

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What does it mean when total bilirubin is high?

In general, elevated total bilirubin levels may be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, vigorous exercise, viral hepatitis, cholecystitis, hemolytic anemia, or other factors. If discomfort symptoms occur, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a正规 hospital. In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular作息, avoid熬夜; follow a light diet, and reduce intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods.