Is a one-plus sign for bilirubin severe?

Oct 07, 2022 Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Zhao Haiming
Introduction
Bilirubin is the pigment found in human bile. When present in excessive amounts in the body, this substance may cause significant damage to the brain, nervous system, and other organs. Elevated bilirubin levels may result from either physiological or pathological factors. A single positive sign (+) indicates that bilirubin levels are slightly increased and usually not serious.

Bilirubin is the pigment found in human bile. When present in excessive amounts in the body, this substance may cause serious damage to the brain, nervous system, and other organs. Elevated bilirubin levels can result from either physiological or pathological factors. A single positive sign ("one plus") indicates that bilirubin levels are only slightly above normal and is usually not considered severe.

The normal range for bilirubin is 3.4–17.1 μmol/L. When bilirubin levels are slightly above this normal range, test results may show a single positive sign. In such cases, patients typically do not experience significant symptoms such as nausea or vomiting. With timely treatment according to medical advice based on the underlying cause, the condition can generally be well controlled; therefore, it is not considered serious.

A single positive sign for bilirubin may occur in newborns due to their relatively immature liver metabolism. In adults, it may result from intense physical exercise or excessive alcohol consumption, which can lead to liver cell injury. Additionally, patients with liver diseases such as acute or chronic hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, or gallbladder conditions such as cholecystitis and cholelithiasis are also prone to show a single positive sign for bilirubin.

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