Bilirubin, Direct

The measurement of bilirubin levels is used in diagnosing and treating liver, hemolytic, hematologic, and metabolic disorders, including hepatitis and gall bladder obstruction. The assessment of direct bilirubin is helpful in the differentiation of hepatic diseases. For example, the increase in total bilirubin associated with obstructive jaundice is primarily due to the direct (conjugated) fraction. Both direct and indirect bilirubin is increased in the serum with hepatitis.