What causes high bilirubin levels (jaundice)?
Disease description:
Recently, I felt fine, but during a hospital check-up, I was found to have high bilirubin levels. May I ask, what causes elevated bilirubin levels?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Elevated jaundice is usually caused by multiple factors, mainly including excessive bilirubin production, reduced hepatocyte function, intrahepatic cholestasis, and bile duct obstruction. Specifically, conditions such as hemolytic anemia can lead to extensive destruction of red blood cells, resulting in excessive bilirubin production that exceeds the liver's processing capacity, thereby causing jaundice. Additionally, liver diseases such as hepatitis and liver injury can impair hepatocyte function, affecting the uptake, conjugation, and excretion of bilirubin, which can also lead to jaundice. Intrahepatic cholestasis and bile duct obstruction can hinder bile excretion, causing bilirubin to flow back into the bloodstream and further exacerbating jaundice. Therefore, the causes of elevated jaundice are complex and varied, requiring diagnosis and treatment based on the specific clinical condition.
