Why does bilirubin increase in cirrhosis?
Disease description:
My older brother has been feeling very unwell these days. He was recently diagnosed with cirrhosis last month, and now his bilirubin levels are also found to be elevated. May I ask what causes elevated bilirubin in cirrhosis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Elevated bilirubin levels in cirrhosis mainly result from severe damage to liver tissue during the cirrhotic stage, leading to impaired liver function. This affects the liver's ability to metabolize bilirubin produced from the breakdown of red blood cells, causing bilirubin to accumulate and increase in the blood. Specifically, cirrhosis impairs the liver's capacity to convert indirect bilirubin into direct bilirubin and reduces the efficiency of bilirubin excretion from hepatocytes into the intestines. Consequently, indirect bilirubin remains in the bloodstream for a prolonged period, resulting in jaundice and elevated bilirubin levels. Patients with elevated bilirubin following cirrhosis are advised to actively cooperate with treatment to control the condition and closely monitor for the presence of complications.
