Serum bilirubin level in healthy population

Objective To investigate the serum level of bilirubin in healthy populations. Methods A total of 14 315 individuals took physical examination in our hospital in 2008.When liver and gallbladder diseases, hemolytic diseases, anemia, jaundice, lipemia, and hemolytic samples were excluded, the rest of 12 387 subjects (median age, 53 years) were assigned to the different age or gender groups.The high-level automatic biochemical analyzer was used for serum total bilirubin (TBIL) and direct bilirubin (DBIL). Results There was no difference in serum bilirubin between men and women.TBIL of individuals living in Beijing was higher than reference (P<0.05). In young group, serum TBIL level was 5.7 to 29.5 μmol/L and DBIL was 0.9 to 5.5 μmol/L.In elderly group, serum level of TBIL was 6.0 to 30.3 μmol/L and DBIL was 0.9 to 5.7 μmol/L. Conclusion Serum TBIL level of Beijing residents may higher than the upper limit of recommended reference. Key words: Serum; Bilirubin; Reference interval