What does it mean when total bilirubin is high?
Aug 18, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Liu Feng
Introduction
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.
Generally, elevated total bilirubin levels may be caused by excessive alcohol consumption, strenuous exercise, viral hepatitis, cholecystitis, hemolytic anemia, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a qualified hospital. Detailed explanations are as follows:
1. Excessive Alcohol Consumption
Alcohol entering the body needs to be metabolized by the liver. Long-term or excessive alcohol consumption increases the liver's workload and affects the liver cells' uptake, conversion, and excretion of bilirubin, leading to elevated total bilirubin levels. Alcohol consumption should be stopped immediately to reduce liver damage. Drinking more warm water in daily life can help promote bodily metabolism.
2. Strenuous Exercise
Durring strenuous exercise, the body's metabolism accelerates, making red blood cells prone to damage. The released hemoglobin is metabolized into bilirubin, increasing bilirubin production and subsequently raising total bilirubin levels. It is important to schedule exercise intensity appropriately, avoid excessive exertion, rest adequately, and replenish fluids after exercising.
When viruses attack the liver, they damage liver cell function, affecting the normal metabolism and excretion of bilirubin, which leads to elevated total bilirubin levels. Under a doctor's guidance, antiviral medications such as lamivudine tablets, entecavir dispersible tablets, and adefovir dipivoxil tablets can be used. Adequate rest should be ensured, and fatigue should be avoided.
4. Cholecystitis
Inflammation of the gallbladder can affect bile excretion, and bile stasis may cause bilirubin to flow back into the bloodstream, resulting in elevated total bilirubin levels. Under a doctor's guidance, anti-inflammatory and bile-promoting medications such as Xiaoyan Lidan tablets, ursodeoxycholic acid capsules, and cefixime dispersible tablets can be used to reduce inflammation and promote bile excretion.
5. Hemolytic Anemia
When a large number of red blood cells are destroyed, the excess hemoglobin metabolizes into bilirubin, surpassing the liver's processing capacity, which causes elevated total bilirubin levels. Under a doctor's guidance, medications such as folic acid tablets, vitamin B12 injections, and prednisone tablets can be used to improve anemia and reduce red blood cell destruction.
In daily life, it is important to maintain a regular routine and avoid staying up late; eat a light diet and reduce intake of high-fat and high-cholesterol foods; quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption; engage in moderate, gentle exercises such as walking or yoga; and undergo regular liver function tests to monitor overall health.
