Bilirubin
Bilirubin is a bile pigment formed during the breakdown of hemoglobin in the body. Normally, bilirubin is absent in stool, as it is processed in the liver and excreted with bile into the intestine, where it is converted into stercobilin.
- Normal condition: Bilirubin is not detected in stool or is present in extremely low concentrations.
- Detection of bilirubin in stool:
- may indicate liver or bile duct dysfunction;
- accelerated intestinal peristalsis, which prevents the complete conversion of bilirubin into stercobilin;
- inflammatory processes and intestinal diseases;
- obstructive jaundice (blockage of the bile ducts).
- Clinical significance:
The presence of bilirubin in stool requires further investigation to determine the cause and assess the condition of the liver and biliary system.
Bilirubin analysis in stool helps diagnose liver, bile duct, and intestinal diseases and evaluate the effectiveness of bile flow.