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bilirubin

bilirubin

4 9.0
An orange-yellow substance the liver makes when old blood cells break down that can make the skin yellow
  • noun
  • /ˌbɪləˈrubɪn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : bilirrubina
  • The NNT group has the second lowest amount of AST, ALT, and bilirubin.
  • direct bilirubin
  • serum bilirubin
  • high bilirubin

Examples

  • The doctor informed her that elevated bilirubin levels could indicate liver problems.

  • Re jaundice severity: Innis states her bilirubin level was increased to 13.95 mg/dl.

    Blog text (19)
  • So for example, we're working on a really simple way to measure bilirubin and the blood to know if babies suffer from newborn jaundice.

  • Drainage was considered successful if stent placement resulted in a decline in bilirubin greater than 20% of the pre-intervention value.

    Academic text (1992)
  • His plasma bilirubin was slightly raised (34 mmol/L); transaminases were normal, and there was no evidence of hepatic encephalopathy.

    Academic text (1999)
  • All patients who had chronic HEV infection had elevated liver enzyme levels; bilirubin levels were elevated in 45.5% of the patients (Table 2).

    Academic text (2012)
  • Laboratory tests used in diagnosis include direct and indirect Coombs, reticulocyte count, liver function tests (bilirubin and lactate dehydrogenase LDH elevated).

    Academic text (2003)
  • After the newborn's blood test, the nurse said the bilirubin level was higher than normal.

  • To assess jaundice, the pediatrician checked the baby's bilirubin level during the examination.

Surface Forms

bilirubin singular
bilirubins plural

Morphology

bilirubin = bile + ruby (opaque) = bili + rubin

The term is a technical compound from combining forms ('bili-' + 'rubin') and the specific biochemical meaning (a bile-related pigment) is not derivable by an average B1 learner from the component words.

Etymology

Bilirubin comes from the Latin words bilis 'bile' and rubin 'red', like the red of a ruby. So the name meant 'red bile', which is a useful image to remember that bilirubin is a colored substance from the liver that can build up and make the skin look yellow.