Total Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a yellow-orange pigment produced when the body breaks down old red blood cells. Total bilirubin measures all of it circulating in your blood, and the liver is responsible for processing and clearing it.
Bilirubin reflects both how many red blood cells are being broken down and how well your liver and bile system are handling that byproduct. It is a core part of liver panels, and when it builds up it can cause the yellowing of skin or eyes known as jaundice.
Higher total bilirubin can arise from faster red blood cell breakdown, from the liver processing it less efficiently, or from blocked bile flow. Some people also have a common, harmless inherited pattern that raises bilirubin mildly. The cause is clarified by looking at the direct and indirect fractions and other tests.
A low bilirubin is not considered a health concern and is not something that needs treatment.
Results are compared to your lab's reference range shown alongside your value. Because a raised bilirubin has several possible explanations, your clinician is best placed to interpret it in context.
Sources
Educational context only, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Reference ranges vary by lab, age and sex; always discuss your results with a clinician.