Told by your doctor to undergo a bilirubin test because he or she suspects that your liver is not in an excellent shape? Keep on reading this article. Below you will come across some tips on having a normal bilirubin test, allowing you to heave a sigh of relief knowing that there is no need for you to undergo expensive treatments.

Before we take a look at some of the tips on making your bilirubin test normal, let us first quickly tackle the reason why this medical test is commonly done, and that is to measure bilirubin levels in the blood.

Red blood cells, just like what the name suggests, are components that make the blood appear red. That’s because they contain a red pigment called hemoglobin that is capable of carrying oxygen molecules. RBCs for short, red blood cells do not live forever — they have a lifespan of 120 days only, according to doctors.

A reddish-yellow pigment called bilirubin is formed when red blood cells die or breakdown. The body has no use for bilirubin, and that is why it is immediately flushed out of it. The organ that is responsible for eliminating excess bilirubin in the bloodstream is the liver, the very same organ that metabolizes drugs and alcohol.

If the liver fails to get rid of bilirubin effectively, it only means that the said vital organ is not in a good shape. You can tell that your liver is not able to remove bilirubin if your skin and the whites of your eyes appear yellowish, a condition that doctors refer to as jaundice. Your skin may also feel itchy if there’s too much bilirubin in the blood.

Doctors usually ask their patients to undergo a bilirubin test if they suspect problems concerning the liver. If the levels are high, it only means that bilirubin is not being eliminated from the body properly.

Having high bilirubin levels in the bloodstream based on the results of a bilirubin test can be very terrifying and disheartening — everyone knows that the liver is one of the most important organs in the body and it’s no secret that undergoing treatments to help restore normal liver health and functioning can be so expensive.

If you are scheduled to undergo a bilirubin test, try these bilirubin-lowering tips in order for you to obtain a normal result, thus saving you from spending tons of cash for further tests and treatments:

Drink Plenty of Water

You can help your body get rid of excess bilirubin within simply by drinking plenty of water per day. According to doctors, up to 2 liters of water (equivalent to about 8 glasses) should be chugged on a daily basis.

Aside from lowering bilirubin, it also allows you to stay properly hydrated, which is essential for health.

Try Herbal Supplements

Currently, there are plenty of herbal remedies available at health food stores for problems concerning the liver. One of the most popular of the bunch is milk thistle. Other herbs that are scientifically-proven to help optimize liver health include dandelion, wild yam and verbena.

Keep in mind that the use of herbs should be done under the direct supervision of a trained herbalist.

Have Ginger Tea

A very safe herbal remedy for liver-related problems, especially those that involve inflammation, is fresh ginger root. The easiest way to utilize ginger root in restoring liver health is by consuming it in tea form.

Stay Away From Fatty Foods

Make sure that you turn your back on fatty foods as they can endanger your liver, especially if your doctor suspects that the said vital organ of yours is in some form of danger. Similarly, you should also eliminate from your diet anything that is processed as well as fried.

Quit Drinking Alcohol

Last but not least, you should steer clear of alcoholic beverages. Actually, alcohol is regarded as something that can easily damage the liver especially when it is consumed in large quantities for long periods of time.