What Causes Elevated Bilirubin?
Bilirubin is a product that is formed when red blood cells are broken down or destroyed. It is an orange-yellow pigment that is responsible for the color associated with jaundice. Along with cholesterol and bile acids, bilirubin makes up bile, which is a fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder that aids in the digestion of fats. Elevated bilirubin levels can be a result of increased breakdown of red blood cells, which is called hemolysis, or an incapability of the liver to remove the substance properly. Increased hemolysis or improper liver function can occur due to a number of conditions.