Hello, I am a 35 year old male, and aside from high blood pressure and high cholesterol (both treated by medication ), I am in very good health. Last week I went to my doctor for a routine physical, and he was alarmed at my total bilirubin level of 1.8. It had always been 0.6 or 0.4 in the past. He also was surprised at a 60 point jump in my cholesterol level, despite my being on medication for that, and having it be stable for many years. I am having another test done in two weeks, but now paranoia has set in as I find every on-line article about elevated bilirubin levels being potential signs of cancer (or gallstones). I could not find anywhere what the typical high total bilirubin levels are in cancer patients, so I do not know how my 1.8 level compares. I would like to know this if possible, and also, is a spike in the bilirubin level likely to happen for any other reason? It does not seem to fluctuate like sugar levels or blood pressure can, so I am worried that it is an indicator of something bad. Any information regarding that type of bilirubin level would be very greatly appreciated. And also, would there typically be other indicators present at the same time in a blood test that would indicate cancer as a possibility? Thank you very much. Sincerely, Marc YYYY@YYYY 2-23-13 UPDATE
Hello, caucus, Let me assure you that you don't have liver or pancreas cancer. Bilirubin is a combination of conjugated and conjugated, that indirect and indirect components. Usually the Direct fraction is more than the indirect. The total can fluctuate anywhere from 1.2 -1.4 mg/DL. In your case you have a slightly higher indirect fraction. This is very commonly seen as a fasting hyperbilirubinemia. There are rare genetic disorders such as Gilbert's syn Chat Doctor. This is a benign condition and the bilirubin levels go up more during infections, stress etc. Condition is diagnosed by liver biopsy. Very rarely this is associated with pigment gallstones. As for cholesterol levels, if you had a rich fatty meal the day before, even if the blood was