BILIRUBIN, DIRECT

"Clinical Significance
Bilirubin, Direct - Measurement of the levels of bilirubin is used in the diagnosis and treatment of liver, hemolytic, hematologic, and metabolic disorders, including hepatitis and gall bladder obstruction. The assessment of direct bilirubin is helpful in the differentiation of hepatic disorders. The increase in total bilirubin associated with obstructive jaundice is primarily due to the direct (conjugated) fraction. Both direct and indirect bilirubin are increased in the serum with hepatitis.

Preferred Specimen(s)
1 mL serum

Alternative Specimen(s)
• Plasma from:
   Lithium heparin (green-top) tube
   Sodium heparin (green-top) tube
• Serum transferred to an amber transport vial

Minimum Volume
0.5 mL

Collection Instructions
Protect from light by wrapping a spun SST® in foil or transferring serum/plasma to an amber transport vial. Avoid hemolysis.

Transport Container
Spun Serum Separator Tube (SST®)

Transport Temperature
Room temperature

Specimen Stability
Room temperature: 24 hours *

Refrigerated: 72 hours*
Frozen: 90 days* 
 * If protected from light

Reject Criteria
Hemolysis • Anticoagulants other than heparin

Setup Schedule"