Total bilirubin

Bilirubin is a yellowish pigment formed during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Specifically, it is a byproduct of the heme component of hemoglobin. Unconjugated bilirubin travels through the bloodstream to the liver, where it is converted into a water-soluble form called conjugated bilirubin. This conjugated bilirubin is then excreted from the liver into the bile and eventually eliminated from the body. Total bilirubin measures the sum of both unconjugated and conjugated bilirubin in the blood, providing an overall assessment of bilirubin metabolism.