What is Unconjugated Bilirubin?
Bile contains an orange pigment known as bilirubin. The liver cells are supposed to excrete this pigment after heme is broken down and biliverdin is reduced (processes of the liver), but that excretion does not always occur. When liver cells build up too much bilirubin, skin and eye color turns yellow – a symptom of jaundice.
Unconjugated bilirubin tests are used to diagnose the cause of jaundice. If high levels of unconjugated bilirubin values are measured on a blood test, it could mean hemolysis (bilirubin not clearing the lever) is occurring.
Normal Value Range
- Negative Pregnancy Adult: 0.1 to 0.5 mg/dL or 1.7 to 8.6µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester One: 0.1 to 0.5mg/dL or 1.7 to 8.6 µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Two: 0.1 to 0.4mg/dL or 1.7 to 6.8µmol/L
- Pregnancy Trimester Three: 0.1 to 0.5mg/dL or 0 to 8.5µmol/L
Unconjugated bilirubin levels may rise if the pregnant woman suffers from an inherited condition such as Crigler-Najjar syndrome and Gilbert’s syndrome. Hemolysis can also caused increased levels on lab tests.