Total Bilirubin Blood Test for Liver Function
A blood test that measures the total amount of bilirubin in your blood to evaluate liver function and detect conditions affecting bilirubin metabolism, such as hepatitis, cirrhosis, bile duct blockages, or hemolytic anemia.
{"Measures bilirubin levels in your blood to check liver health","Helps diagnose liver diseases, gallbladder disorders, and jaundice","Simple blood draw test that requires no special preparation","Results help determine if your liver is processing bilirubin properly","Used to monitor treatment for liver and blood disorders"}
Key facts at a glance
- LOINC
- 1975-2
- Short code
- TBIL
- Synonyms
- —
- Category
- liver
- Sample
- serum
- Container
- Serum Separator Tube (SST) or Plain Red Top Tube
- Units
- mg/dL
- Ref low
- 0.1
- Ref high
- 1.2
- Critical range
- 0.2 mg/dL – 15 mg/dL
- Fasting
- false
- Population
- adult
- Sex
- all
- Age range
- 0–120 years
- Method
- diazonium-salt
- CPT
- 82220
- SNOMED
- 271010002
- Specimen volume
- 3-5 mL
- Stability
- Room temperature: 48 hours, Refrigerated (2-8°C): 7 days, Frozen (-20°C or below): 30 days. Protect from light exposure.
- Hemolysis max
- 50
- Lipemia max
- 300
- Icterus max
- 20
- TAT
- 1–4 hours
What is this test?
The total bilirubin test measures the amount of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells. Your liver processes bilirubin and helps remove it from your body through stool. When your liver cannot process bilirubin properly, it builds up in your blood, causing conditions like jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes).
Why do I need this test?
Your doctor may order a total bilirubin test to: check liver function, diagnose liver diseases such as hepatitis or cirrhosis, identify blockages in the bile ducts, evaluate causes of jaundice, monitor conditions like hemolytic anemia, or track how well treatment is working for liver or gallbladder diseases.
How do I prepare for the test?
No special preparation is usually required for a total bilirubin test. However, your doctor may ask you to fast (not eat or drink) for a few hours before the test if other blood tests are being done at the same time. Tell your doctor about any medications, supplements, or herbal remedies you are taking, as some substances can affect bilirubin levels.
What happens during the test?
A healthcare professional will draw a small blood sample from a vein in your arm using a needle. The process only takes a few minutes. You may feel a brief sting or pinch when the needle is inserted. After the blood is collected, the sample is sent to a laboratory for analysis. Results are typically available within a few days.
Understanding your results
Normal total bilirubin levels typically range from 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL. Results may vary slightly depending on the laboratory. Higher than normal levels may indicate liver disease, hepatitis, cirrhosis, gallbladder blockages, hemolytic anemia, or newborn jaundice. Lower than normal levels are usually not a concern and may occur due to certain medications or dietary factors. Your doctor will explain what your specific results mean for your health.
Reference range
Adults: 0.1-1.2 mg/dL; Newborns (0-1 day): 1.0-6.0 mg/dL; Newborns (1-2 days): 6.0-10.0 mg/dL; Newborns (3-5 days): 4.0-8.0 mg/dL; Children: 0.2-1.0 mg/dLmg/dL
No fasting required. Avoid hemolysis during collection as it can falsely elevate results. Inform laboratory of any recent blood transfusions or IV therapy.
Clinical interpretation
How abnormal results are interpreted and what conditions they suggest.
Elevated total bilirubin levels can indicate various conditions. Liver diseases such as hepatitis and cirrhosis impair the liver's ability to process bilirubin. Gallbladder disorders or bile duct obstructions prevent bilirubin from being excreted properly. Hemolytic anemia causes increased breakdown of red blood cells, producing more bilirubin than the liver can handle. In newborns, elevated bilirubin can lead to kernicterus if untreated. Monitoring bilirubin levels helps doctors diagnose these conditions, determine their severity, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatments.
Short name
TBil
Part of panels
Frequently asked questions
What is bilirubin?
What does high bilirubin mean?
Is the test painful?
How long does it take to get results?
Do I need to fast before the test?
Sources
- 1
- 2
- 3
Click any link to access the full source. PubMed Central (PMC) links provide free full-text access.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
This content is for general informational and educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare provider with any questions you have about a medical condition, and never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you read here.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your local emergency number or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
Medically reviewed by WellAlly Editorial Team Last reviewed August 10, 2026. · Read our editorial policy