Bilirubin blood test
A yellow pigment made when old red blood cells are broken down, cleared by the liver.
- Typical range (adult men)
- 0.1–1.2 mg/dL
- Panel
- Liver Function
- Also called
- Total bilirubin
Reference ranges vary between labs; use the range on your own report. Results need to be read by a doctor alongside your symptoms and other tests.
Why it’s tested
Rises when the liver or bile ducts are struggling, and with harmless Gilbert syndrome.
What can raise it
- Gilbert syndrome (common and harmless)
- Liver strain or bile flow problems, including from oral anabolic steroids
- Breakdown of red blood cells
What can lower it
- Usually not a concern
Getting an accurate result
- Test in the morning, especially for hormones, which run highest early in the day.
- Skip hard training for 48 hours before: muscle damage and creatine can push this up.
- Stay hydrated, and test at the same lab and time of day each time so results compare fairly.
Compounds that affect Bilirubin
Monitored with these, based on their known properties:
- Dianabol (Methandrostenolone)
- Anadrol (Oxymetholone)
- Anavar (Oxandrolone)
- Winstrol (Stanozolol)
- Turinabol (Chlorodehydromethyltestosterone)
- Halotestin (Fluoxymesterone)
- Superdrol (Methasterone)
- Testolone (RAD-140)
- S-23
- YK-11
- Methyltrienolone (Oral Tren / Metribolone)
- 1-Andro (1-Androstenediol)
Other liver function tests
Questions
What is a normal Bilirubin level?
A typical adult male reference range is 0.1–1.2 mg/dL. Ranges differ for women, by age and between labs, so compare with the range printed on your report.
What does high Bilirubin mean?
Common reasons include gilbert syndrome (common and harmless), liver strain or bile flow problems, including from oral anabolic steroids and breakdown of red blood cells. One result outside the range isn't a diagnosis: a doctor will look at it with your other markers and history.
What does low Bilirubin mean?
Common reasons include usually not a concern.