Bilirubin

Bilirubin is a bile pigment formed during hemoglobin breakdown in the body. Normally, bilirubin is absent in stool because it is processed in the liver and excreted with bile into the intestine, where it converts to stercobilin.

• Normal condition: Bilirubin is either undetectable or present at very low concentrations in stool.
• Detection of bilirubin in stool:
  • May indicate liver and bile duct dysfunction;
  • Accelerated intestinal transit where bilirubin does not fully convert to stercobilin;
  • Inflammatory processes and intestinal diseases;
  • Obstructive jaundice (blockage of bile ducts).
• Clinical significance:
  The presence of bilirubin in stool necessitates further investigation to identify the cause and assess liver and bile duct status.

Bilirubin stool analysis helps diagnose liver, bile duct, and intestinal diseases as well as evaluate bile drainage efficiency.