Blood Test for Jaundice

What is jaundice in adults?

Jaundice in adults is a medical condition where the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes turn yellow due to a high bilirubin level in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia). Jaundice occurs when your liver cannot process bilirubin properly, causing hepatic jaundice. The development of jaundice is divided into four steps: 

• Red blood cell breakdown: The body destroys old red blood cells through hemolysis and replaces them with new ones, producing bilirubin. 
• Bilirubin processing: The Liver processes bilirubin and incorporates it into bile. The liver then releases this bile into the digestive tract to help break down food. 
• Too much bilirubin: Jaundice develops when your liver struggles to release bilirubin. 
• Yellow color: Excess bilirubin in the blood leads to jaundice. Elevated levels can make it darker. 

Therefore, a blood test for jaundice in adults is a crucial tool that helps your healthcare provider evaluate the yellowness of the skin and eyes. This evaluation is key to determining the cause and devising the most appropriate treatment plan, giving you the confidence that you are in good hands. 

Understanding the possible causes of a blood test for jaundice in adults is crucial. It helps you recognize the symptoms and empowers you with knowledge about your condition, making you an active participant in your healthcare journey.

Possible causes for a blood test for Jaundice in adults include: 

1. Prehaptic jaundice

Prehaptic jaundice in adults occurs due to the excessive breakdown of the red blood cells (RBCs). This leads to a buildup of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood. Its main causes include: 

• Hemolytic anemia: Abnormal breakdown of red blood cells in the blood vessels or elsewhere in the human body.
• Sickle cell anemia: A need for a blood test for jaundice in adults also arises when sickle cells die faster than the liver can filter them out. 
• Thalassemia can also cause jaundice. 
• Malaria. Jaundice may also occur in malaria due to intravascular hemolysis and other various reasons. 
• Autoimmune hemolytic disorders (AIHA), such as hemolytic anemia, are a significant cause of pre-hemolytic jaundice. 
• Hereditary spherocytosis is an inherited blood disorder caused by abnormalities in red blood cells (RBCs). Instead of being disk-shaped, they are round like spheres. 
• Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency (G6PD): Jaundice in adults may also occur due to a deficiency of an enzyme called G6PD. This enzyme aids in the proper functioning of red blood cells. 

2. Hepatic Jaundice

Jaundice occurs during the hepatic phase due to abnormalities in the metabolism and/or bilirubin excretion. This can elevate both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels. Conditions that cause hepatic jaundice in adults include: 

• Viruses such as hepatitis A, chronic hepatitis B and C, and Epstein-Barr virus infection can cause hepatic jaundice. 
• Alcohol-induced hepatitis: When your body consumes alcohol, it goes into your liver, which acts as a toxin and breaks down into poisonous chemicals. If your liver is sensitive, it puts you more at risk of getting alcohol-induced hepatitis. 
• Autoimmune disorders can affect almost any tissue or organ of your body, including joints, muscles, the digestive and endocrine systems, skin, and blood vessels. They may also lead to jaundice, which occurs when your body's immune system mistakenly attacks healthy cells, disrupting their function and leading to the buildup of bilirubin. 
• Rare genetic metabolic defects affect how the body processes substances like fats, proteins, or sugars, and may hamper liver function. When your liver cannot excrete bilirubin, it builds up in the blood, resulting in jaundice. 
• Medicines: Excessive consumption of penicillin, oral contraceptives, acetaminophen toxicity, and anabolic steroids can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, jaundice, and severe liver damage. 

Additionally, liver cancer, Gilbert’s syndrome, and Crigler-Najjar syndrome are conditions with a hepatic cause of jaundice. 

3. Posthepatic jaundice

Also known as obstructive jaundice, this condition is characterized by the obstruction of bile flow from the liver to the small intestine. Conditions that can cause post-hepatic jaundice in adults: 

1. Gallstones: When gallstones obstruct the bile ducts, it leads to jaundice. 
2. Inflammation: Swelling or inflammation in the gallbladder (cholecystitis) can sometimes cause jaundice.
3. Cancer: Gallbladder cancer may cause jaundice when it blocks the bile ducts either directly or indirectly. Jaundice is likely to occur in cases of an enlarged tumor or spread beyond the gallbladder. 
4. Pancreatitis refers to the inflammation of the pancreas. It can cause jaundice when:

• Obstruction in the bile duct: The pancreas in the body is located near the bile duct. When they become inflamed, it can block the bile duct, preventing the bile from draining into the intestine. 

• Gallstones: Gallstone pancreatitis occurs when a gallstone blocks the pancreatic and bile ducts. 

5. Parasites such as liver flukes, particularly when they infect the liver or bile ducts. 

Spot the Signs: Is there a need for a blood test for Jaundice in adults?

The symptoms related to a blood test for jaundice in adults include: 

• The whites of the eyes and the yellowish tint of the skin. 
• Fever
• Chills
• Abdominal pain
• Flu-like symptoms
• Dark-colored pee
• Being tired or confused
• Itchy skin
• Weight loss
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Loss of appetite
• Headache
• Rectal bleeding
• Swelling of the legs
• Ascites

Care and Treatment 

How do doctors diagnose jaundice in adults?

Doctors use a combination of physical exams, medical history, and a laboratory blood test for jaundice in adults. This will help them decide your liver’s size. 

Initial blood testing for jaundice in adults: 

• Liver blood tests
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Electrolyte panel
• Lipase levels

Your healthcare provider will measure the bilirubin levels in the blood to check whether jaundice is related to red blood cell breakdown (unconjugated) or liver injury (conjugated). A urinalysis will be done to check for urinary tract infections. 

Additionally, they may also consider other signs to determine the actual cause, including: 

• Bruising 
• Palmar erythema (a rare condition when the palm of your hand turns red)
• Spider angiomas (collections of blood vessels under the skin)

In certain cases, they may perform ultrasound, CT scanning, and liver biopsy to understand the scenario better. 

How is jaundice in adults treated?

Treatment for jaundice in adults depends on the underlying cause. Hence. You can get treated at home, or you may require hospitalization. 

• Prescription medicines, including steroids, can help treat autoimmune disorders like liver cirrhosis. Also, a liver transplant may be required.
• Your healthcare provider may suggest stopping alcohol consumption, especially if you have liver cirrhosis, alcoholic hepatitis, or acute pancreatitis. 
• Sometimes the causes of jaundice are drugs, medications, or toxins. Hence, your healthcare provider suggests discontinuation of these offending agents. 
• Blood transfusions may be suggested if you have anemia from hemolysis or as a result of bleeding. 
• Patients with cancer may have jaundice; therefore, as a next major step, consultation with an oncologist will be needed for the treatment.
• Surgery and various invasive procedures may be suggested to treat jaundice in adults. 
• Additionally, infectious causes of jaundice or complications that occur due to cholangitis and may cause jaundice are treated with antibiotics. 

What are the risks associated with not treating jaundice?

If you do not treat jaundice, the virus could spread or become chronic, causing complications: 

• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Anemia
• Bleeding
• Cancer
• Liver failure
• Infection/sepsis
• Kidney failure 
• Brain dysfunction
• Coma
• Death

Can jaundice in adults be prevented?

Certain conditions causing adult jaundice can be treated, and others may not be fully preventable. Your healthcare provider may suggest certain preventive measures to mitigate the risk of developing jaundice, including: 

• Follow instructions and take medicines as instructed. This can help avoid potential liver damage. 
• Avoiding unprotected sex, unsafe injection practices, and taking safety precautions when working with blood products and needles can reduce your chances of developing hepatitis B or hepatitis C.
• Do not eat contaminated food and avoid unsanitary water to reduce your chances of developing hepatitis A. 
• Quit smoking and drinking alcohol in moderation to prevent alcoholic hepatitis, alcoholic cirrhosis, pancreatitis, and certain malignancies. 
•  Maintain a healthy body weight. 
• Manage your cholesterol. 

When to Call the Doctor?

What are the early symptoms of jaundice in adults? Seek medical assistance immediately. You may be asked to take a blood test for jaundice in adults. Let your doctor evaluate whether the signs are related to liver injury.

Remember, jaundice in adults can be caused by various medical conditions, which can be serious and life-threatening. 

Additional Common Questions

What is neonatal jaundice?

Neonatal jaundice refers to jaundice in newborn babies. Like adults, the root cause of jaundice in newborns is a buildup of bilirubin in their blood. The liver is still developing in babies, so it cannot remove all the bilirubin. Either jaundice in children gets treated on its own or needs phototherapy. 

A note from Redcliffe Labs

Jaundice is a sign to worry, but not to stress yourself. Early and accurate diagnosis can help treat your illness before it becomes severe. 

Do not hide anything from your healthcare provider, including if you take heart or sugar medicine. He will adjust your medicines or prescribe an alternative. 

It is always good to talk to your friends and family. They are your big support system, including managing chores on your behalf. You can focus on getting well. Ensure you sleep for 7-8 hours, eat balanced meals, and drink plenty of fluids for full recovery. 

Affordable Blood Test for Jaundice in Adults Price From Redcliffe Labs. Book Now! 

Healthy India Ki Trusted Lab-Redcliffe Labs is a purpose-driven, PAN India omnichannel service provider. We work around the clock to give India the right to quality diagnostics. We follow four pillars to achieve our purpose: accuracy, accessibility, affordability, and awareness. 

We are a direct-to-consumer (B2C) company, which means that no third-party involvement makes our services cost-effective. 

If suggested, call us directly at 898 898 87 87 or download the Redcliffe Labs mobile app to book a test online. You can also avail of our home sample collection facility and get tested from the comfort of your home. A blood test for jaundice with Redcliffe Labs costs INR 139 only. The reports are typically available within a stipulated time frame. 

Step-by-step information on booking a test online:

1. Visit the official Redcliffe Labs website: https://redcliffelabs.com/.
2. Browse or search for the specific test you need. 
3. Add the test to the cart. 
4. Complete the payment process online.

Note: You will receive confirmation through SMS and WhatsApp.