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Tests for Jaundice

Jaundice is a condition that indicates a severe problem with the liver function and is a symptom of other underlying medical conditions. When the body is unable to process bilirubin and remove it through proper liver function, the body begins to store waste in the skin and other organs. This condition indicates potentially life-threatening diseases that leave the body poisoning itself with waste. There are several ways to diagnose and test for jaundice.

  1. Visual Assessment

    • The first indication that a person or infant is jaundice comes from a discoloration of the skin. The skin gets a yellow tint with the whites of the eyes and gums also becoming yellow in color. The color change is a result of the bilirubin accumulation in the body. Bilirubin typically is what causes bowels to get a brown coloring and without the elimination of the toxins, this skin and fatty tissues begin to absorb it. Once a patient has been visually diagnosed, there are two tests that can confirm if they are jaundice.

    Trasncutaneous Bilirubin Test

    • If jaundice is suspected, there may be a transcutaneous bilirubin test conducted. This test is designed to measure the amount of bilirubin based on the level of yellow pigment in the skin. Transcutaneous means that this is done through the skin but is non-invasive. It measures the reflection of a specific light that is shone throuhg the skin.
      Nurses and doctors refer to the Transcutaneous bilirubin test as a "Tc bili" or a "bili check." If you hear this, they you know it is a skin test. It is important that you realize this test is an estimation and not as accurate as the serum bilirubin test where blood is drawn.

    Blood or Serum Bilirubin Test

    • Blood serum tests are a quick and inexpensive test to determine if a patient is jaundice. Blood is taken from the patient and sent to the laboratory where the level of bilirubin is determined. Normal bilirubin levels range from .20 mg/dL to 1.5 mg/dL. Levels above this often trigger observation and retesting twelve to twenty four hours later. A test that determines a level higher than 20 mg/dL demands immediate attention.

    Subjective Test Results

    • For people who understand what the numbers mean in a bilirubin test and what is considered high, there may be questions as to why doctors do not always start treatment immediately. This is especially true with newborns. In the first week of life for newborn babies in otherwise good health "normal" bilirubin levels fall into a wide range of numbers. If your baby is otherwise healthy, doctors will want to observe first and retest rather than begin treatment programs. Babies are monitored for drops and increases in these levels and patterns that suggest more serious problems.

    Other Medical Conditions

    • Jaundice may accompany many serious health conditions. These include all the forms of hepatitis, pancreatic cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, sickle cell anemia and AIDS. Those with diabetes are susceptible to jaundice as well. Any condition that impairs liver function can lead to jaundice. While the primary treatment for jaundice itself is phototherapy, it is imperative to consult your physician about treatments for these underlying conditions.

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