Biochemistry
(TBil)

Preferred Sample Type

Bilirubin (Total)

Suitable Specimen Types

Serum

Bilirubin (Total) (TBil)

Specimen Volume

1mL blood (~250uL sample)

Turnaround Time

24 hours

Sample Processing In Laboratory

No special requirements

Sample Stability

7 days at 2-8°C.

General Information

Bilirubin is formed in the reticulo-endothelial system mainly the spleen, when aged erythrocytes are degraded. Haem from haemoglobin and other haem-containing proteins is converted to bilirubin, bound to plasma albumin and transported to the liver (unconjugated or indirect bilirubin). In the liver, it is conjugated with glucuronic acid for solubilisation (conjugated or direct bilirubin) and transported through the bile duct for elimination via the digestive tract. Increased bilirubin in the circulation gives rise to jaundice.

Unconjugated bilirubin is increased when diseases or conditions produce bilirubin faster than it can be metabolised e.g. liver immaturity. Bile duct obstruction or damage to the hepatocellular structures lead to increases in both conjugated/direct bilirubin and unconjugated/indirect bilirubin.

Patient Preparation

No special patient preparation

Reference Range

<21 μmol/L (Pathology Harmony)

Source of Reference Range

In-house validation

Specifications

  • EQA Status: UK NEQAS Clinical Chemistry Scheme
  • EQAS Scheme: Yes

Tags

bilirubin conjugated DBil haemolytic anaemia hepatitis jaundice liver TBil unconjugated

Related Tests

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) Albumin Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP) Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) Gamma Glutamyl Transferase (GGT) Total Protein (serum)

Creation Date

Monday, 08 August 2011

Modification Date

Wednesday, 11 May 2022

General Information

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Copyright UHB Pathology 2018

Protection of Personal Information – Clinical Laboratory Services comply with the Trust Data Protection Policy and have procedures in place to allow the Directorate and it’s employees to comply with the Data Protection Act 1998 and associated best practice and guidance.

University Hospitals Birmingham medical laboratories at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Heartlands Hospital, Good Hope Hospital and Solihull Hospital are UKAS (United Kingdom Accreditation Service) accredited to the ISO 15189:2012 standard. For a list of accredited tests and other information please visit the UKAS website using the following link: https://www.ukas.com/find-an-organisation/

  • Molecular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8759
  • Biochemistry is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8910
  • Haematology and Transfusion is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8784
  • Clinical Microbiology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 8760
  • Cellular Pathology is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 10141
  • Musculoskeletal laboratory is a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No. 9897
  • Heartlands, Good Hope and Solihull Hospital pathology laboratories are a UKAS accredited medical laboratory No.8217.

Tests not appearing on the UKAS Schedule of Accreditation currently remain outside of our scope of accreditation. However, these tests have been validated to the same high standard as accredited tests and are performed by the same trained and competent staff.

For further test information, please visit the test database: http://qehbpathology.uk/test-database

For further information contact Louise Fallon, Quality Manager, 0121 371 5962