Kokonaisbilirubiinimäärä

Kokonaisbilirubiinimäärä refers to the total amount of bilirubin in the blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment produced during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. As red blood cells age and are broken down, their hemoglobin is converted into bilirubin. This bilirubin then travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is processed and eventually excreted from the body, primarily through bile into the intestines.

A laboratory test to measure kokonaisbilirubiinimäärä is a common part of liver function tests. Elevated levels of total bilirubin can indicate various health conditions affecting the liver, bile ducts, or red blood cells. For instance, it can be a sign of liver disease, such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, or conditions that cause excessive red blood cell destruction, known as hemolysis. Blockages in the bile ducts, which can prevent bilirubin from being excreted, also lead to increased total bilirubin.

The normal range for total bilirubin can vary slightly depending on the laboratory, but it is generally quite low. When total bilirubin levels rise above the normal range, it can manifest as jaundice, a yellowing of the skin and the whites of the eyes. The interpretation of kokonaisbilirubiinimäärä results always considers the clinical context and may involve further investigations to determine the underlying cause of the elevation.