What Causes Elevated Bilirubin Levels?

Elevated bilirubin levels can have various causes, just like most other symptoms. Finding the true cause means ruling out or confirming each possibility – in other words, diagnosis.

Diagnosis is usually a complex process due to the sheer number of possible causes and related symptoms. In order to diagnose elevated bilirubin levels, we could:

Research the topic
Find a doctor with the time
Use a diagnostic computer system.

The process is the same, whichever method is used.

Step 1: List all Possible Causes

We begin by identifying the disease conditions which have "elevated bilirubin levels" as a symptom. For example, Gilbert's syndrome.

Step 2: Build a Symptom Checklist

We then identify all possible symptoms and risk factors of each possible cause, and check the ones that apply:

high indirect bilirubin level

sugar/sweet craving

moderate chocolate craving

severe fatigue after slight exertion

... and so on

Step 3: Rule Out or Confirm each Possible Cause

A differential diagnosis of your symptoms and risk factors finds the likely cause of elevated bilirubin levels.

Arriving at a Correct Diagnosis

The Analyst™ is our online diagnosis tool that learns all about you through a straightforward process of multi-level questioning, providing diagnosis at the end.

If you indicate having had recent lab tests, The Analyst™ will ask further questions including this one:

Bilirubin, total. Unit: mg/dL [umol/L]

Possible responses:

→ Don't know
→ 0.0 to 1.3 [0-22] (normal)
→ Recently elevated
→ Chronically elevated

Based on your response to this question, which may indicate either normal bilirubin or high total bilirubin, The Analyst™ will consider possibilities such as Gilbert's Syndrome.

Your Bilirubin Level