Liver question... Should I be worried?

Question

I went in for a physical August 10, and since then I have been back to the doctor 3 times for followup bloodwork because it turns out I have high conjugated bilirubin levels. I feel completely fine, and tests for mono and hepatitis came back negative. I do not have Gilbert's Syndrome, as they originally thought. However, I am getting a liver ultrasound tomorrow and was wondering what they are looking for and what could possibly be wrong with me?

Answer 1

High billirubin levels generally indicate that bile flow is being slowed or obstructed on its way through the bile ducts. It is often self-correcting.

If the elevated level is your only symptom, I wouldn't worry too much.
The ultrasound is painless, so it makes a good just-in-case test. The doctor will be looking to see if there's anything structural going on -- a swelling, or inflammation, or lesion of some type.
Which doesn't necessarily suggest a BAD something going on.

I predict all will be well..

Answer 2

Excerpt from Hyperbilirubinemia, Conjugated

Synonyms, Key Words, and Related Terms: icterus, jaundice, bilirubin accumulation, bilirubin formation, tetrapyrrole, hemoglobin, unconjugated bilirubin, conjugated bilirubin, conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, liver disease, biliary disease


Background: Bilirubin is a tetrapyrrole created by the normal breakdown of heme. Most bilirubin is produced during the breakdown of hemoglobin and other hemoproteins


Diseases that reduce the rate of secretion of conjugated bilirubin into the bile or the flow of bile into the intestine produce a mixed or predominantly conjugated hyperbilirubinemia due to reflux of conjugates back into the plasma. Elevated conjugated bilirubin levels usually indicate hepatobiliary disease


Normal serum values of total bilirubin typically are 0.2-1 mg/dL (3.4-17.1 mmol/L), of which no more than 0.2 mg/dL (3.4 mmol/L) are directly reacting

Pathophysiology: Conjugated hyperbilirubinemia results from reduced secretion of conjugated bilirubin into the bile, such as occurs in patients with hepatitis, or it results from impaired flow of bile into the intestine, such as occurs in patients with biliary obstruction. Bile formation is sensitive to various hepatic insults, including high levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as may occur in patients with septic shock




Bilirubin levels can be used to identify liver damage/disease such as cirrhosis or acute hepatitis or gallstones, or to monitor the progression of jaundice. If conjugated bilirubin is elevated, there may be some kind of blockage of the liver or bile duct, hepatitis, trauma to the liver, a drug reaction, or long-term alcohol abuse. Inherited disorders caused by abnormal bilirubin metabolism (Gilbert’s, Rotor’s, Dubin-Johnson, Crigler-Najjar syndromes) may also cause increased levels.


Patients with sickle cell disease or other causes of hemolytic anemia may have episodes where excessive RBC destruction( hemolysis) takes place, raising bilirubin levels.

Answer 3

don't worry the only answer that matters is the one your doctor gives you.

Answer 4

well its evidently a concern but i wouldnt be worried.

Answer 5

you could have cyst of your liver which is not cancer and not serious