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Bilirubin (formerly referred to as haematoidin) is the yellow breakdown product of normal heme catabolism, caused by the body's clearance of aged red blood cells which contain hemoglobin.Bilirubin is excreted in bile and urine, and elevated levels may indicate certain diseases.ilirubin consists of an open chain of four pyrrole-like rings (tetrapyrrole). In heme, these four rings are connected into a larger ring, called a porphyrin ring. Bilirubin can be conjugated with a molecule of glucuronic acid which makes it soluble in water (see below).
Bilirubin is a substance made when your body breaks down old red blood cells, a normal process. Bilirubin is also part of bile, which your liver makes to help digest the food you eat. A small amount of bilirubin in your blood is normal. Healthy adults produce 250 to 350 milligrams (mg) of bilirubin each day.Bilirubin that is bound to a certain protein is called unconjugated, or indirect, bilirubin. Conjugated, or direct, bilirubin travels freely through your bloodstream to your liver.esults are given in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Normal results of the blood test range from 0 to 0.1 mg/dL in adults. If your results on the blood test are higher, bilirubin may also show up in your urine. Urine in adults normally contains only 0.02 mg/dL. Most urine tests will not detect this amount.