The liver is the organ most significantly affected by high bilirubin levels.
High bilirubin, a yellow substance produced during the breakdown of old red blood cells, indicates potential liver or bile duct problems. The liver plays a crucial role in processing and eliminating bilirubin from the body. When the liver is damaged or malfunctions, it cannot effectively process bilirubin, leading to a buildup in the bloodstream. This results in elevated bilirubin levels, a condition known as hyperbilirubinemia. Prolonged high bilirubin levels often signify severe liver disease, possibly even cirrhosis.
Several sources confirm the liver's central role in bilirubin metabolism and its susceptibility to damage from high bilirubin:
- Mayo Clinic: States that higher-than-usual bilirubin levels often indicate various liver or bile duct problems. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bilirubin/about/pac-20393041
- Medical News Today: Highlights that liver dysfunction, encompassing any condition impacting liver function, can cause bilirubin accumulation in the blood. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315086
- Healthline: Explicitly points out that liver dysfunction, stemming from various conditions affecting the liver, causes bilirubin buildup. https://www.healthline.com/health/high-bilirubin
- Verywell Health: Explains that even a healthy liver processes bilirubin, so its impairment leads to elevated blood levels. https://www.verywellhealth.com/bilirubin-definition-and-description-1759872
- A study in PubMed: Discusses the impact of high bilirubin levels on liver grafts, demonstrating the liver's vulnerability in this context. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37812571/
High bilirubin levels can lead to jaundice (yellowing of skin and eyes), darker urine, and lighter-colored stools. While newborn jaundice is often harmless and resolves quickly, high bilirubin in adults or persistent jaundice in newborns requires medical attention because of potential brain damage.
