What causes elevated total bilirubin in liver function tests?

There are several reasons for elevated total bilirubin in liver function tests, mainly including the following: 1. Physiological factors: Newborns may have elevated total bilirubin due to physiological jaundice, while adults may experience this due to excessive alcohol consumption, vigorous exercise, or emotional fluctuations. 2. Hemolytic jaundice: Large-scale destruction of red blood cells leads to increased indirect bilirubin, which accumulates in the blood, resulting in elevated total bilirubin. 3. Biliary tract diseases: Conditions such as cholecystitis and cholelithiasis may prevent direct bilirubin from being fully excreted into the intestines, causing it to flow back into the bloodstream and elevate total bilirubin levels. 4. Liver diseases: Conditions such as viral hepatitis and cirrhosis can severely impair liver function, preventing the liver from converting indirect bilirubin into direct bilirubin, thus leading to elevated total bilirubin. The specific cause must be determined through clinical examination and physician diagnosis.