Biomarkers · Chemical
Bilirubin, Total
A bilirubin blood test measures the levels of bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a yellowish substance made during your body's normal process of breaking down old red blood cells.
Bilirubin Blood Test, MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Bilirubin is a yellowish substance the body makes while breaking down old red blood cells. Bilirubin can leak from the liver into the blood when the liver is damaged or the bile ducts are blocked.
- Also listed as
- total bilirubin, tbil
- Primary unit
- mg/dL
- LOINC codes
- 1975-2
- Tests that measure Bilirubin, Total
- Quest Diagnostics 22, Labcorp 21
See why clinicians order the test
Clinicians order the test to check liver health, look for the cause of jaundice, or see how well a treatment is working.
Goal: Liver health
Clinicians order the test to find out whether the bile ducts are blocked.
Goal: Liver health
Clinicians use the test to monitor a liver disease that has already been diagnosed.
Goal: Liver health
Clinicians use the test to look for hemolytic anemia, because high blood bilirubin may be a sign of it.
Goal: Anemia
The test is also commonly used to help diagnose jaundice in newborn babies.
Read with companion markers
Check what can shift results
Physiology
Medicine
Prepare for the test
- Providers may ask people to fast, without eating or drinking, for several hours before the blood test.
- MedlinePlus advises telling the provider about everything taken, since certain medicines may need stopping before the test.
- MedlinePlus advises against stopping any medicine unless the provider gives that instruction.
Each statement links to the source we wrote it from. Last updated October 19, 2026.
Ranges
Compare the reference ranges labs publish with guideline targets, diagnostic cut-offs, study-based ranges and practitioner targets. Move across the rows to check a value against each range, and open a source from the legend. How to read these ranges
All 2 published ranges, with sources
Lab reference ranges
Quest, adults 20 and older0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL
Adults 20 and older
Quest Diagnostics Test Directory, Bilirubin, Total (287), 2025
Labcorp, children 1 month and older and adults0 to 1.2 mg/dL
Age 1 month and older
Tests
Check the catalog code, specimen, method and preparation for every test that measures Bilirubin, Total. Select up to five tests to compare them side by side.
Quest Diagnostics 22 tests
Single-analyte tests
Bilirubin, Total 287
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3 days
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP)
- Collection
- Protect from light by wrapping a spun SST in foil or transferring serum or plasma to an amber transport vial. Avoid hemolysis.
- Reference notes
- ≤1 Day | ≤5.1 mg/dL 2 Days | ≤7.2 mg/dL 3-5 Days | ≤10.3 mg/dL 6-7 Days | ≤8.4 mg/dL 8-9 Days | ≤6.5 mg/dL 10-11 Days | ≤4.6 mg/dL 12-13 Days | ≤2.7 mg/dL 14 Days-9 Years | 0.2-0.8 mg/dL 10-19 Years | 0.2-1.1 mg/dL ≥20 Years | 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Bilirubin, Total and Direct, Neonatal 6631
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3 days
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP)
- Collection
- Patient should be less than 60 days of age. Draw 2 amber Microtainer® serum separator tubes (SSTs) or wrap 2 spun Microtainer® serum separator tubes (SSTs) in foil. Avoid hemolysis.
- Reference notes
- Bilirubin, Direct ≤0.3 mg/dL Bilirubin, Indirect ≤1 Day ≤5.1 mg/dL (calc) 2 Days ≤7.2 mg/dL (calc) 3-5 Days ≤10.3 mg/dL (calc) 6-7 Days ≤8.4 mg/dL (calc) 8-9 Days ≤6.5 mg/dL (calc) 10-11 Days ≤4.6 mg/dL (calc) 12-13 Days ≤2.7 mg/dL (calc) 14 Days - 9 Years 0.2-0.8 mg/dL (calc) 10-19 Years 0.2-1.1 mg/dL (calc) ≥20 Years 0.2-1.2 mg/dL (calc) Bilirubin, Total ≤1 Day ≤5.1 mg/dL 2 Days ≤7.2 mg/dL 3-5 Days ≤10.3 mg/dL 6-7 Days ≤8.4 mg/dL 8-9 Days ≤6.5 mg/dL 10-11 Days ≤4.6 mg/dL 12-13 Days ≤2.7 mg/dL 14 Days - 9 Years 0.2-0.8 mg/dL 10-19 Years 0.2-1.1 mg/dL ≥20 Years 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Bilirubin, Total, Neonatal 20381
Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP)
- Collection
- Patient should be less than 60 days of age. Draw 2 amber Microtainer® serum separator tubes (SSTs) or wrap 2 spun Microtainer® serum separator tubes (SSTs) in foil. Avoid hemolysis.
- Reference notes
- ≤1 Day ≤5.1 mg/dL 2 Days ≤7.2 mg/dL 3-5 Days ≤10.3 mg/dL 6-7 Days ≤8.4 mg/dL 8-9 Days ≤6.5 mg/dL 10-11 Days ≤4.6 mg/dL 12-13 Days ≤2.7 mg/dL 14 Days-9 Years 0.2-0.8 mg/dL 10-19 Years 0.2-1.1 mg/dL ≥20 Years 0.2-1.2 mg/dL
Panels that include this biomarker
Bilirubin, Fractionated 7286
2 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Spectrophotometry (SP)
- Collection
- Protect from light. Avoid hemolysis.
- Reference notes
- Bilirubin, Total ≤1 Day | ≤5.1 mg/dL 2 Days | ≤7.2 mg/dL 3-5 Days | ≤10.3 mg/dL 6-7 Days | ≤8.4 mg/dL 8-9 Days | ≤6.5 mg/dL 10-11 Days | ≤4.6 mg/dL 12-13 Days | ≤2.7 mg/dL 14 Days - 9 Years | 0.2-0.8 mg/dL 10-19 Years | 0.2-1.1 mg/dL ≥20 Years | 0.2-1.2 mg/dL Bilirubin, Direct | ≤0.2 mg/dL Bilirubin, Indirect ≤1 Day | ≤5.1 mg/dL (calc) 2 Days | ≤7.2 mg/dL (calc) 3-5 Days | ≤10.3 mg/dL (calc) 6-7 Days | ≤8.4 mg/dL (calc) 8-9 Days | ≤6.5 mg/dL (calc) 10-11 Days | ≤4.6 mg/dL (calc) 12-13 Days | ≤2.7 mg/dL (calc) 14 Days - 9 Years | 0.2-0.8 mg/dL (calc) 10-19 Years | 0.2-1.1 mg/dL (calc) ≥20 Years | 0.2-1.2 mg/dL (calc)
Hepatic Function Panel without Total Protein 34391
7 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests
Hepatic Function Panel 10256
10 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Set up: Mon-Sat; Report available: 3 days
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests
- Collection
- Administration of STRENSIQ may interfere in certain assays and may falsely elevate values. For patients receiving STRENSIQ, consideration should be given to using alternate methods.
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Hepatic Function Panel, Plasma 90842
10 analytes · Plasma · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests
- Collection
- Separate plasma from cells promptly Note: For serum Hepatic Function Panel, please see test code 10256
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Hepatic Function Panel with FIB-4 Index with Reflex to ELF Score 12735
12 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated
Quest Diagnostics catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Electronic Cell Sizing/Counting/Cytometry/Microscopy • Spectrophotometry (SP)
- Reference notes
- See Laboratory Report
Labcorp 21 tests
Single-analyte tests
Bilirubin, Total 001099
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Colorimetric
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
- Reference notes
- See table. Age Range (mg/dL) Newborns, term, and near term 24 hours 0.0−8.0 48 hours 0.0−13.2 72 hours 0.0−15.6 96 hours to 1 month 0.0−16.6 Children ≥1 month and adults 0.0−1.2
Bilirubin, Total, Neonatal 015602
Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Kinetic
- Collection
- If a red-top tube or plasma is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube. Protect from light.
Panels that include this biomarker
Bilirubin Fraction, Neonatal 205500
3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Kinetic
- Collection
- If a red-top tube or plasma is used, transfer separated serum or plasma to a plastic transport tube. Protect from light.
Bilirubin, Total and Direct 001214
3 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- Colorimetric
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Drug-Induced Liver Injury Profile 010045
6 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests.
- Collection
- Serum or plasma: Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection. PT with INR blood: Blood should be collected in a blue-top tube containing 3.2% buffered sodium citrate. Evacuated collection tubes must be filled to completion to ensure a proper blood-to-anticoagulant ratio. The sample should be mixed immediately by gentle inversion at least six times to ensure adequate mixing of the anticoagulant with the blood. A discard tube is not required prior to collection of coagulation samples unless the sample is collected using a winged (butterfly) collection system. With a winged blood collection set a discard tube should be drawn first to account for the dead space of the tubing and prevent under-filling of the evacuated tube. When noncitrate tubes are collected for other tests, collect sterile and nonadditive (red-top) tubes prior to citrate (blue-top) tubes. Any tube containing an alternative anticoagulant should be collected after the blue-top tube. Gel-barrier tubes and serum tubes with clot initiators should also be collected after the citrate tubes. Print and use the Volume Guide for Coagulation Testing to ensure proper draw volume.
Hepatic Function Panel (7) 322755
7 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround Within 1 day
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual tests.
- Collection
- Separate serum or plasma from cells within 45 minutes of collection.
Hepatitis B Virus (HBV) FibroSure® 550605
8 analytes · Serum · Fasting not stated · Turnaround 3 - 5 days
Labcorp catalog pageMethod and collection
- Method
- See individual test components.
- Preparation
- Patient should be fasting for at least eight hours.
- Collection
- Separate serum from cells within two hours of collection, and transfer serum to a transfer tube.
0 of 5 tests selected
Pick one moreGoals and conditions
We link Bilirubin, Total to these goals and conditions from named guidelines and studies.
Liver healthGoal, primary marker
The ACG guideline names bilirubin among the most commonly ordered liver chemistries.
Sources
Check the guidelines, studies and lab catalogs behind every range and link on this page. Open a source to see each claim it backs.
Clinical guidelines
ACG Clinical Guideline: Evaluation of Abnormal Liver Chemistries
American College of Gastroenterology, 2017
Read together with
Clinicians commonly order AST alongside bilirubin as part of the standard liver chemistries.
“The most common liver chemistries ordered are serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin.”
Read together with
Clinicians commonly order ALT alongside bilirubin as part of the standard liver chemistries.
“The most common liver chemistries ordered are serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin.”
Read together with
Clinicians commonly order alkaline phosphatase alongside bilirubin as part of the standard liver chemistries.
“The most common liver chemistries ordered are serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin.”
Linked to Liver health (primary)
The ACG guideline names bilirubin among the most commonly ordered liver chemistries.
Read together with
Bilirubin ranks among the most common liver chemistries that clinicians order together with AST, ALT, and alkaline phosphatase.
Read together with
Clinicians commonly order ALT alongside bilirubin, as both are among the most common liver chemistries.
Read together with
Bilirubin is one of the most common liver chemistries ordered together with ALP, ALT and AST.
Lab catalogs
Labcorp test menu, Bilirubin, Total (001099)
2026
Lab reference range: Labcorp, children 1 month and older and adults, 0 to 1.2 mg/dL
Population: Age 1 month and older
Retrieved October 16, 2026
Quest Diagnostics Test Directory, Bilirubin, Total (287)
2025
Lab reference range: Quest, adults 20 and older, 0.2 to 1.2 mg/dL
Retrieved October 12, 2025
Labcorp test menu
Labcorp
Test catalog: 21 tests, with codes, specimens, methods and reference intervals
Quest Diagnostics test menu
Quest Diagnostics
Test catalog: 22 tests, with codes, specimens, methods and reference intervals
Reference sources
Bilirubin Blood Test
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
Before the test
MedlinePlus advises against stopping any medicine unless the provider gives that instruction.
“But don't stop taking any medicines unless your provider tells you to.”
Before the test
MedlinePlus advises telling the provider about everything taken, since certain medicines may need stopping before the test.
“You may need to stop taking certain medicines before this test, so tell your provider about everything you take.”
Before the test
Providers may ask people to fast, without eating or drinking, for several hours before the blood test.
“Your provider may tell you to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before your blood test.”
Reasons to test
The test is also commonly used to help diagnose jaundice in newborn babies.
“The test is also commonly used to help diagnose newborn jaundice.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians order the test to check liver health, look for the cause of jaundice, or see how well a treatment is working.
“A bilirubin blood test may be used to check the health of your liver, look for the cause of jaundice, or determine how well a treatment is working.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians order the test to find out whether the bile ducts are blocked.
“To find out if there is a blockage in your bile ducts.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians use the test to monitor a liver disease that has already been diagnosed.
“To monitor an existing liver disease.”
Reasons to test
Clinicians use the test to look for hemolytic anemia, because high blood bilirubin may be a sign of it.
“For example, high bilirubin levels in the bloodstream may be a sign of hemolytic anemia.”
What can shift results
Some medicines can raise bilirubin levels above the lab's reference range.
“Higher-than-normal bilirubin levels can also be caused by some medicines, certain foods, or strenuous exercise.”
What can shift results
Strenuous exercise and certain foods can raise bilirubin levels above the lab's reference range.
“Higher-than-normal bilirubin levels can also be caused by some medicines, certain foods, or strenuous exercise.”
What can shift results
Expected bilirubin results vary with the lab, the person's sex, and whether the test is done on an infant or child.
“Normal results can vary based on the lab, your sex, and if the test is being done on an infant or child.”
What it reflects
Bilirubin can leak from the liver into the blood when the liver is damaged or the bile ducts are blocked.
“If your liver is damaged or your bile ducts are blocked, bilirubin can leak out of your liver and into your blood.”
What it reflects
Bilirubin is a yellowish substance the body makes while breaking down old red blood cells.
“Bilirubin is a yellowish substance made during your body's normal process of breaking down old red blood cells.”
Retrieved October 19, 2026
Bilirubin Blood Test
MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine
The description at the top of this page
Codes and registries
LOINC 1975-2
Regenstrief Institute codes that identify the same result across labs.
Search ClinicalTrials.gov for Bilirubin, Total
Registered studies that measure Bilirubin, Total, on the U.S. National Library of Medicine registry.
Verify these ranges and sources
We compile this page from named laboratory catalogs, guidelines and studies. Labs calculate reference intervals from the people they test, for one assay method and one population group, so an interval describes that population rather than an optimal target.
Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track your lab history and health goals in Aumnivida.
Spotted an error? Email hello@biomarkerlens.com with the page URL and the primary source that corrects the entry.