How to Lower Bilirubin: Causes, Tests and Safe Next Steps
Wondering how to lower bilirubin? Learn what raised levels mean, what causes them, and what safe next steps to take after a blood test result in the UK.
If you have recently received a blood test result showing raised bilirubin, you are not alone in searching for answers. Many people in the UK look for ways to lower bilirubin quickly, or wonder whether diet, supplements or lifestyle changes can bring levels down. The honest answer is that how to lower bilirubin depends entirely on why it is elevated — and identifying the cause is always the appropriate first step.
This article explains what bilirubin is, why levels may rise, how different situations are generally considered, and when it is important to seek healthcare advice. It is educational information and cannot replace an individual assessment by an appropriate healthcare professional.
What Is Bilirubin?
Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when the body breaks down ageing red blood cells. The liver processes bilirubin before it is excreted via bile into the digestive system. Raised bilirubin in the blood — a condition known as hyperbilirubinaemia — can result from several different causes and requires appropriate clinical interpretation.
Bilirubin exists in two main forms. Unconjugated (indirect) bilirubin is the initial form produced before the liver processes it. Conjugated (direct) bilirubin has been processed by the liver and is ready for excretion. Measuring both — alongside total bilirubin — can help indicate where in the process a problem may lie, though this distinction alone cannot establish a diagnosis.
Bilirubin is commonly included in liver function tests (LFTs) alongside markers such as ALT, AST, ALP and GGT. Together, these results provide a picture of how the liver is functioning, though no single marker tells the complete story.
How to Lower Bilirubin Safely in Adults: Start With the Cause
When someone asks how to lower bilirubin in adults, the most important thing to understand is this: there is no single, universally safe method that works regardless of the underlying cause. Attempting to reduce a number on a blood test without understanding why it is elevated can delay appropriate care and may occasionally cause harm.
Sensible next steps after a raised bilirubin result include:
- Review the full blood test report, not just the bilirubin figure. Look at how the result compares to the laboratory’s reference range and whether other liver markers are also outside the normal range.
- Consider the clinical context. Have you been unwell, fasting, exercising heavily or under significant stress? These factors can influence bilirubin temporarily in some people.
- Seek appropriate healthcare advice. A GP or qualified clinician can assess whether the result is likely to be benign, whether repeat testing is appropriate or whether further investigation is needed.
- Avoid unproven remedies. Pursuing detox programmes, extreme dietary changes or high-dose supplements without professional guidance is unlikely to be helpful and may cause additional problems.
- Follow advice about repeat testing. If a borderline or mildly elevated result has been identified, repeat testing at an appropriate interval — under professional guidance — can help determine whether the finding is persistent or transient.
If you have had a private blood test and are unsure how to interpret the result, it is appropriate to discuss it with a healthcare professional rather than acting on the number alone.
Can You Lower Bilirubin Naturally?
Searches for how to lower bilirubin naturally or how to lower bilirubin in adults naturally reflect an understandable desire to manage health without medication. It is important to be honest about what the evidence supports.
No particular food, drink or supplement has been established as a universal way to lower raised bilirubin in adults. Bilirubin elevation can arise from liver conditions, problems affecting bile flow, increased breakdown of red blood cells, inherited variations in liver enzymes and other causes. A dietary adjustment is unlikely to address the majority of these.
That said, several general wellbeing measures are sensible for anyone concerned about their liver health:
- Maintaining a balanced, varied diet consistent with general UK dietary recommendations supports overall liver and metabolic health.
- Avoiding excessive alcohol is relevant because regular heavy alcohol consumption is associated with liver damage, which can in turn affect bilirubin processing.
- Staying adequately hydrated supports general health, though there is no reliable evidence that drinking more water directly lowers bilirubin.
- Avoiding unnecessary use of medicines or substances known to affect the liver — always discuss any concerns about prescribed medicines with the clinician who prescribed them.
These measures may help support general health and are not harmful in most circumstances. They are not, however, a substitute for understanding and appropriately addressing the underlying reason for a raised bilirubin result.
Foods and Supplements Said to Lower Bilirubin
Searches for foods to lower bilirubin and supplements to lower bilirubin are common, and it is important to address them honestly.
Food and Diet
A liver-friendly diet — one that is balanced, moderate in alcohol, not excessively processed and includes adequate fruit, vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein — is a reasonable approach for general liver wellbeing. However, no specific fruit, vegetable or food group has been demonstrated to reliably lower bilirubin across different causes and patient groups.
You may encounter online lists of foods claimed to "flush" the liver or reduce bilirubin rapidly. These claims are generally not supported by robust clinical evidence, and some can be misleading when applied to people with abnormal blood tests who require assessment rather than a change in salad choices.
Supplements
Some supplements are marketed with claims relating to liver health. These include milk thistle, artichoke extract and various herbal preparations. Whilst some compounds have been the subject of small research studies, none is currently established as a proven treatment for elevated bilirubin in the general adult population.
Importantly, supplements are not without risk. They can interact with prescription medicines, may affect liver function themselves and are not regulated to the same standard as licensed medicines in the UK. Anyone with an abnormal liver blood test who is considering taking a supplement should first discuss this with an appropriate healthcare professional.
Bilirubin and Gilbert’s Syndrome
Gilbert’s syndrome is one of the more common inherited conditions in the UK, affecting an estimated 3–7% of the population. It occurs due to a variation in a gene involved in processing unconjugated bilirubin, meaning the liver processes it slightly less efficiently than usual.
People with Gilbert’s syndrome may experience intermittent mild elevations in unconjugated bilirubin, sometimes accompanied by very mild yellowing of the eyes (jaundice). These fluctuations are often triggered by:
- Fasting or skipping meals
- Dehydration
- Physical illness or infection
- Significant stress
- Strenuous exercise
For most people with confirmed Gilbert’s syndrome, the elevated bilirubin does not require treatment and is not associated with liver damage. Understanding personal triggers and maintaining consistent eating patterns, hydration and rest may help reduce the frequency of fluctuations, but there is no specific intervention required to lower bilirubin to a particular figure.
An important caution: Gilbert’s syndrome should not be used to automatically explain away a new, persistent or changing elevation in bilirubin, particularly if other liver markers are also raised, symptoms are present or the pattern is different from previous results. Any new abnormality should be assessed appropriately rather than assumed to be the existing condition.
Bilirubin Levels in Newborns: A Separate Concern
Newborn jaundice is a distinctly different matter from elevated bilirubin in adults, and the two should never be conflated.
Jaundice is very common in newborns — affecting an estimated 6 in 10 babies — because newborns produce more bilirubin and their livers are still maturing. In most cases it resolves without intervention. However, bilirubin levels in newborns must be taken seriously because very high levels can, in rare circumstances, cause serious harm.
Management of bilirubin in a newborn depends on:
- The baby’s age in hours (not days — this distinction matters clinically)
- The measured bilirubin concentration
- Gestational age and whether the baby was born prematurely
- Relevant risk factors including feeding difficulties and any underlying conditions
What parents should know:
- Feeding support — ensuring a newborn is feeding regularly and well — is important and can be relevant, but is not a substitute for proper assessment.
- Sunlight exposure at home is not a safe or reliable replacement for clinical assessment or recommended treatment. This is a persistent myth that can delay necessary care.
- If phototherapy (a form of light treatment) or other intervention is recommended by a midwife or health professional, this should be followed rather than managed at home.
- Do not give a newborn water, herbal teas, supplements or home remedies to lower bilirubin. This is not safe.
Safety warning: A newborn with jaundice requires prompt advice from an appropriate maternity or healthcare service. Signs that require urgent assessment include poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, difficulty waking, a high-pitched cry, a temperature or other signs that the baby is unwell. If you are concerned, contact your midwife, health visitor or NHS 111 immediately.
Raised Bilirubin in Cancer Patients
Elevated bilirubin in someone living with or being treated for cancer can have several possible explanations. These include involvement of the liver by cancer, obstruction of the bile ducts, infection, increased breakdown of red blood cells, or effects associated with some chemotherapy agents or other medicines.
The cause matters greatly in determining the appropriate response. Management in this context is the responsibility of the treating oncology or medical team, who have access to the full clinical picture.
It is important to be clear: dietary changes, supplements or natural remedies are not an appropriate response to raised bilirubin in a cancer patient. They do not address the potential causes listed above and may interfere with treatment.
If you are living with cancer and have received a blood test result showing elevated bilirubin, or if you or a family member develops yellow skin or eyes, dark urine or new symptoms, it is important to contact the appropriate clinical team promptly rather than attempting to manage this at home.
What Does High Bilirubin in a Blood Test Mean?
A blood test that measures bilirubin typically reports:
- Total bilirubin — the combined measurement
- Direct (conjugated) bilirubin — processed by the liver
- Indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin — calculated from the above
Whether a result is considered elevated depends on the reference range used by the specific laboratory, which can vary according to the testing method and equipment. Always compare your result against the range printed on your report rather than values you find online.
A raised total bilirubin result does not establish a diagnosis on its own. Clinicians typically consider the full picture, including:
- Other liver enzymes (ALT, AST, ALP, GGT)
- The pattern of results — which markers are raised and by how much
- Symptoms and clinical history
- Whether the elevation is new or has been present previously
A single mildly elevated bilirubin in an otherwise normal report, in a person without symptoms, has a different significance from a markedly elevated level alongside abnormal liver enzymes and symptoms such as jaundice or abdominal pain.
A Guide to Possible Contexts for Raised Bilirubin
The following table is educational and cannot determine the cause in any individual case. It is intended only to illustrate that different contexts require different considerations.
| Possible context | General consideration |
|---|---|
| Gilbert’s syndrome | Bilirubin may fluctuate; the clinical context and pattern of results matter |
| Liver-related conditions | Other liver markers and symptoms may provide useful context; assessment is appropriate |
| Problems affecting bile flow | The pattern of liver enzymes may differ; further assessment may be needed |
| Increased red blood cell breakdown (haemolysis) | Additional tests may be considered alongside the bilirubin result |
| Newborn jaundice | Assessment depends on age in hours, bilirubin level, gestation and risk factors |
| Cancer-related causes | Requires clinical assessment by the treating healthcare team |
How Quickly Can Bilirubin Levels Fall?
Searches for how to reduce bilirubin fast or how to reduce bilirubin quickly are understandable, but the honest answer is that the timescale depends entirely on the underlying cause.
- A temporary fluctuation in someone with Gilbert’s syndrome, triggered by a period of illness or fasting, may resolve relatively quickly once the triggering factor resolves.
- Bilirubin elevation associated with liver disease, bile duct obstruction or haemolysis is unlikely to resolve within hours or days through lifestyle measures alone.
- In newborns, response to phototherapy can be monitored over hours, but is managed clinically.
There are no quick-fix approaches that reliably lower bilirubin across all causes. Attempting to "reduce bilirubin fast" through home remedies or dietary changes without understanding the cause may give false reassurance and delay appropriate care.
When Should You Seek Medical Advice?
Not every raised bilirubin result requires an urgent response, but certain situations do warrant prompt contact with a healthcare professional.
Seek appropriate medical advice if you experience:
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (jaundice)
- Dark urine or pale, clay-coloured stools
- Abdominal pain, particularly in the upper right side
- Unexplained fatigue, nausea or loss of appetite alongside an abnormal result
- A new or significantly increased elevation in bilirubin compared with a previous result
Seek urgent medical assessment if you or someone you care for experiences:
- Sudden severe jaundice
- Confusion, extreme drowsiness or difficulty staying awake
- Signs of serious illness alongside jaundice
- A newborn displaying any of the warning signs described above
A private blood test result can prompt useful conversations about your health, but it is not a substitute for clinical assessment. If you have received an abnormal result and are uncertain what to do next, discussing it with a GP or appropriate healthcare professional is the right course of action. You can explore the range of health screening packages available to help understand your blood test results in context.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How do you lower bilirubin in adults?
The appropriate approach to lowering bilirubin in adults depends on the underlying cause. There is no single method that applies in every situation. After receiving an elevated result, the priority is understanding why bilirubin is raised through review of the full blood test report and appropriate healthcare advice. General wellbeing measures such as a balanced diet and avoiding excess alcohol support liver health but do not treat every cause of raised bilirubin.
2. Can bilirubin be lowered naturally?
No particular natural remedy, food or supplement has been established as a reliable way to lower bilirubin across all causes. General lifestyle measures — balanced nutrition, adequate hydration, limiting alcohol — support liver health and are not harmful in most circumstances. However, these measures do not address the range of causes that can lead to elevated bilirubin, and should not replace professional assessment of an abnormal result.
3. What foods can help lower bilirubin?
No specific food is proven to reliably lower bilirubin. A balanced diet that supports general liver and metabolic health — including adequate vegetables, wholegrains and lean protein, with limited processed food and alcohol — is a sensible approach. However, claims that specific foods "flush" bilirubin from the body are not supported by robust clinical evidence, and food choices alone should not be used as a response to an abnormal blood test.
4. How quickly can bilirubin levels decrease?
The rate at which bilirubin levels fall depends on the underlying cause. A temporary elevation in someone with Gilbert’s syndrome triggered by fasting may improve relatively quickly once normal eating resumes. Elevations associated with liver disease, bile duct problems or red blood cell breakdown may behave very differently. There are no proven methods for rapidly reducing bilirubin at home, and attempting to do so without understanding the cause may delay important care.
5. What does high bilirubin in a blood test mean?
High bilirubin in a blood test can indicate several different things, ranging from a benign inherited variation such as Gilbert’s syndrome to conditions affecting liver function, bile flow or red blood cell breakdown. The significance depends on the degree of elevation, which components of bilirubin are raised, what other liver markers show and whether symptoms are present. A single result does not establish a diagnosis and requires appropriate clinical interpretation.
6. How are bilirubin levels managed in Gilbert’s syndrome?
In most people with confirmed Gilbert’s syndrome, mildly elevated unconjugated bilirubin does not require treatment. Avoiding known triggers — such as prolonged fasting, dehydration, heavy exercise when unwell and significant physical stress — may help reduce the frequency of fluctuations. It is important not to assume that every elevated bilirubin result is attributable to Gilbert’s syndrome, particularly if the pattern changes or other markers are also abnormal.
7. How is raised bilirubin assessed in cancer patients?
Raised bilirubin in a cancer patient can have several causes, including liver involvement, bile duct obstruction, infection, increased red blood cell breakdown or treatment-related effects. Assessment and management are the responsibility of the treating clinical team, who can evaluate the result in the context of the full clinical picture. Dietary changes or natural remedies are not an appropriate independent response; prompt communication with the oncology or medical team is the right course of action.
8. How is high bilirubin treated in newborns?
Management of raised bilirubin in a newborn is a clinical matter that depends on the baby’s age in hours, the measured bilirubin level, gestational age and relevant risk factors. When treatment is needed, phototherapy is the most commonly used intervention. Parents should not attempt to manage newborn jaundice at home using sunlight, supplements or other home remedies, as this can delay necessary treatment. Any concerns about a jaundiced newborn should be raised promptly with a midwife, health visitor or NHS 111.
9. Can supplements lower bilirubin?
No supplement is currently established as a proven treatment for elevated bilirubin. Some compounds, such as milk thistle, have been studied in small trials relating to liver health, but evidence for a reliable bilirubin-lowering effect is not robust. Supplements can also interact with prescription medicines and carry their own risks. Anyone with an abnormal liver blood test who is considering supplements should discuss this with an appropriate healthcare professional first.
10. When should a high bilirubin result be checked by a professional?
Any bilirubin result that falls outside the laboratory’s reference range should be reviewed in the context of the full report and relevant symptoms. Seek healthcare advice promptly if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or fatigue alongside the abnormal result. Seek urgent medical attention if symptoms are severe, if there is confusion or marked drowsiness, or if a newborn shows signs of illness alongside jaundice.
Understanding Your Blood Test Results
Receiving an unexpected blood test result can be concerning, but knowledge is a helpful starting point. A bilirubin result is one piece of information within a wider picture — and understanding the context, patterns and relevant clinical factors is essential to interpreting it meaningfully.
If you are considering health screening and would like to understand what your liver markers and other key blood indicators may be showing, you can explore the range of health screening packages or find out more about a full body MOT to gain a broader overview of your health indicators. Testing and reporting services can provide useful data, but results should always be discussed with an appropriate healthcare professional who can assess them in your individual context.
References and Further Reading
- NHS: Jaundice
- NHS: Jaundice in newborns
- NHS: Gilbert’s syndrome
- British Liver Trust: Liver blood tests
- National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE): Neonatal jaundice (CG98)
- Lab Tests Online UK: Bilirubin
This article is intended for educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice and cannot replace individual assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. If you have concerns about a blood test result or your health, please seek appropriate professional guidance.
```