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Test Code BC Bilirubin, Conjugated

Specimen and Container/Tube

Specimen Type: Plasma

Preferred Specimen: Li-Heparin Mint Green Top

Other Acceptable specimens: Serum/Red Top, Serum/Gold Top

Specimen Stability

Storage Temperature

Stability

Room temperature

2 days

Refrigerated

7 days

Frozen

6 months

Collection Instructions

Collect specimen per standard laboratory collection procedures. 

 

Specimen Handling and Transport Instructions

UCMC Onsite Instructions: 

  • Collect specimen per standard collection procedure and send to laboratory immediately. 
  • Protect specimen from light during handling and transport 

 

UCMC Offsite and UC MedLab Outreach Instructions: 

  • Samples should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
  • Centrifuge specimens at >2500 x g for 10 minutes at room temperature.
  • Aliquot sample into plastic transport tube containing a minimum of 0.2 mL of specimen.
  • Samples must be sent room temperature at 15-25oC.
  • Protect specimen from light during handling and transport 

Rejection Criteria

  • Common specimen rejected situations include: incorrect specimen type, insufficient volume, missing or incomplete specimen identifiers, incorrect specimen transport, or specimens outside stability limits. 
  • Specimens that are clotted or grossly hemolyzed.
  • Specimens that were transported unspun/whole blood and draw time is greater than 6 hours.

Reference Values

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Bilirubin, Conjugated

<14 Days

All

0.0 - 0.6 mg/dL

Bilirubin, Conjugated

>14 Days

All

0.0 - 0.3 mg/dL

 

Test

Age

Sex

Reference Range

Bilirubin, Unconjugated

<24 hours

All

1.0 - 6.0 mg/dL

Bilirubin, Unconjugated

24 - 48 hours

All

2.0 - 8.0 mg/dL

Bilirubin, Unconjugated

3 - 5 Days

All

4.0 - 12.0 mg/dL

Bilirubin, Unconjugated

6 - 14 Days

All

0.6 - 7.0 mg/dL

Bilirubin, Unconjugated

>14 Days

All

0.1 - 1.0 mg/dL

 

NOTE: Unconjugated Bilrubin (BU) is a calculation of Total Bilirubin (TBIL) minus the Conjugated Bilirubin (BC).

Turnaround Time

Turnaround times are relative to the time the specimen is received in the test laboratory. 

 

STAT Turnaround Time: 1 hour

Routine Turnaround Time: 4 hours

Testing Schedule: 24/7

Clinical Indications

Evaluation of jaundice and liver functions.

Methodology

Endpoint Colorimetric (Modified Jendrassik-Grof) (Roche Diagnostics)

CPT Codes

82248

LOINC Codes

15152-2

Synonyms/Keyword Search

DBIL, BILD, BILC, Direct Bilirubin

Last Review Date

6/5/2025

Volume

Preferred Volume: 0.5 mL

Minimum Volume: 0.2 mL

Critical Values

Not applicable 

Test Components

Conjugated Bilirubin

Additional Information

  • Results should always be assessed in conjunction with patient's medical history, clinical examination and other findings.
  • Also included in Bilirubin Panel; BILN order code
  • For Pediatric orders use code PEDBC
  • Grossly hemolyzed specimens inhibit the diazo reaction and falsely low conjugated bilirubin results may be seen.

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