Blood Tests For Jaundice For Diagnosis And Management

Jaundice is not a new term; almost everyone is familiar with it. While people often link it with childhood, as it is common among kids, especially newborns, it doesn’t discriminate by age and can affect people of all ages. It occurs when your body has too much bilirubin in the blood, which further can lead to the yellowing of eyes and skin. But there is more to it; if you are too looking to find answers about what exactly Jaundice is, what telltale signs it causes, and the major blood tests for Jaundice that help with diagnosis and management, you are on the right page. In this blog, let’s understand this disease, its diagnosis, and its management. So, let’s get started.

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice is a sickness characterized by yellowing eyes and skin. It occurs when too much bilirubin builds up in the body. It is often a sign of something serious. It indicates problems with the liver, gallbladder, or pancreas.

A common jaundice blood test name is ‘the bilirubin test.’ This test measures bilirubin levels in your blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance produced when your body breaks down old red blood cells. This substance is mostly found in bile, a fluid your liver makes to help you digest food. 

Some Common Conditions That Can Lead To Jaundice Are:

• Liver infections by a virus (Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis D & Hepatitis E) or a parasite.
• Chronic liver disease could also lead to Jaundice.
• The buildup of Bile in the gallbladder because of pressure in the belly area during pregnancy.
• Birth defects or disorders.
• Gallstones or Gallbladder.
• Blood disorders.
• Cirrhosis of the liver.

Jaundice is not a disease in itself but a symptom of an underlying medical condition, and if left untreated, it can lead to several complications. Therefore, timely diagnosis is essential for managing the condition better. But for that, identifying the early signs is crucial. So, what those signs are? Let’s dig in to find more.

Common Symptoms Of Jaundice Are:

The most common and recognizable sign of Jaundice is yellowing of skin and eyes.

• Change in stool color due to reduced bilirubin excretion also indicates Jaundice.
• Too much bilirubin in the blood can also lead to dark urine, often implying Jaundice.
• Moreover, unexplained fatigue, weakness, or itching in the skin could also be a sign of Jaundice.
• Individuals also often complain of symptoms like abdominal pain or swelling and nausea or vomiting.

The severity of the symptoms varies for every individual, and getting tested is the only way to ensure accurate diagnosis, allowing timely management of the condition. Remember, the symptoms could also be linked with some other disease; therefore, an accurate diagnosis is essential to find the root cause of the problem. Here are some common blood tests for Jaundice that doctors may recommend to confirm or rule out the disease. Scroll down to find more.

Common Blood Tests For Jaundice:

• Bilirubin Levels Test: The Bilirubin Blood Test looks for the health of your liver while measuring total bilirubin in the blood. Elevated Bilirubin levels are usually a sign of Jaundice, and the bilirubin test helps diagnose it. It is the most common test doctors may recommend to confirm or rule out the disease and is mostly used to measure bilirubin levels in newborns.

  A bilirubin blood test for jaundice in adults can also help in early detection and promote preventive care. Your body has direct bilirubin and total bilirubin levels, where the normal range of the jaundice investigation test is less than 0.3 mg/dL and 0.1 to 1.2 mg/dL, respectively. 

  If this jaundice diagnostic test shows abnormal results, that does not always mean you have a medical condition that needs treatment. Higher-than-normal levels can happen because of certain medicines, strenuous exercise, and some foods. 

  There are various other causes of jaundice as well. These causes also indicate the need for a jaundice test. 

  • Hemolytic Anemia is a condition caused by red blood cell disorder 
  • Erythroblastosis fetalis is a blood disorder. 
  • Transfusion reactions which are destroyed by your immune system. 
  • Certain liver diseases cause high bilirubin levels
  • Hepatitis 
  • Cirrhosis 
  • Gibert disease or other disorders affecting normal liver functioning 
  • Gallstones 
  • Pancreatic or gallbladder cancer 
  • Abnormal narrowing of the common bile duct or biliary stricture 
• ALT Test: This is another blood test used to measure several enzymes while helping assess overall liver health. High ALT levels indicate potential liver damage or disease. Besides examining liver functions, the test helps diagnose the underlying cause of Jaundice.
• Albumin and Total Protein Test: Other blood tests that doctors often recommend to evaluate liver function in Jaundice are albumin and total protein tests. While helping diagnose liver-related issues accompanying Jaundice, these tests check the liver’s ability to produce protein crucial for its smooth functioning.
• Complete Blood Count (CBC): Also called CBC Test, Complete Blood Count is crucial in Jaundice to assess overall health and detect potential underlying causes. It does not directly diagnose Jaundice but is used to diagnose associated conditions while providing insights into the severity and potential causes of Jaundice.
• Hepatitis Test: It is another blood test that doctors may suggest to determine the specific Hepatitis virus causing the condition. It also differentiates between viral and non-viral causes of Jaundice, helping doctors guide appropriate treatment plans.
• Liver Function Test: Doctors may also suggest the LFT Test, as it includes varied parameters that check your overall liver functions and detect abnormalities if any.

Depending on your symptoms, severity, medical history, age, and gender, doctors often suggest different blood tests for Jaundice. Prompt action is the key that can save you from complications, allowing timely and better management. So, if you have symptoms or risk factors and your doctor has suggested you get tested for it, do not delay and book your screening at the earliest for timely diagnosis and better management.

Benefits of Taking a Blood Test for Jaundice

A blood test for jaundice helps identify underlying health issues and encourages timely management and treatment. You should take the jaundice diagnostic test as follows: 

1. The test can help rule out liver disease, inflammation, liver damage, or cirrhosis. 
2. A jaundice investigation test can detect issues related to gallbladder disorders such as bile duct obstructions and gallstones. 
3. It can identify hemolytic anemia, a condition where red blood cells break down faster than the body can replace them. 
4. It can monitor bilirubin levels in newborns to prevent health complications. 
5. A blood test for jaundice can assess liver function in adults with a history of alcohol use. 

Timely Diagnosis Can Be A Lifesaver – Get Tested Today!

Jaundice, while common, can indicate underlying health problems that demand immediate attention. Therefore, prompt diagnosis is crucial to uncover the root cause of the problem and initiate timely treatment before it is too late. Early detection and intervention help prevent complications and ensure effective condition management. So, prioritize your health and get tested today. For blood tests for Jaundice, Redcliffe Labs is the trusted diagnostic lab.

Risk Associated with Blood Tests for Jaundice

Redcliffe Labs’s certified phlebotomist will come to your home to collect the samples. The testing procedure poses slight risks while taking your blood. You may experience slight pain, excessive bleeding, fainting, lightheadedness, multiple punctures, and infections. These symptoms disappear in no time. 

Reach Redcliffe Labs For Accurate Diagnosis!

Redcliffe Labs is the best diagnostic service provider that you can trust for different blood tests for Jaundice. With advanced diagnostic resources, we ensure precise testing and accurate reports within a stipulated time frame. You can book from prescribed to preventive health checkups with Redcliffe Labs in just 1 minute via the website, and our phlebotomist will be at your doorstep to collect the sample at a scheduled time. Book your Blood Test for Jaundice at home now.

FAQs

Ques1 Which test is done for jaundice? 

Ans1 A bilirubin test is a common test done to diagnose jaundice. The test can measure the level of bilirubin. However, your doctor can also recommend a CBC test, hepatitis test, and liver function test to detect jaundice. 

Ques2 What type of blood test for jaundice? 

Ans2 A bilirubin test checks for liver or gallbladder problems monitors liver disease, and detects jaundice. Other blood tests for jaundice include an albumin test, a prothrombin test, an autoimmune antibody test, and a ferritin test.