Bilirubin (Total), Plasma

Overview
Department	Biochemistry
Test Code	PBL
Synonyms	Total bilirubin  Bili Unconjugated Bilirubin
Base Lab Availability	Monday - Sunday, testing routinely available out of hours
Hawera Lab Availability	Monday - Friday, 8am to 4 30pm
Turnaround Time	1 hour urgent 2 hours routine
Stability – Add test	24 hrs 8 hrs Paediatric Bilirubin
Specimen Requirements
Specimen	Plasma Serum
Preferred	6 mL Red-Top
Acceptable	6 mL Li-Hep Green-Top
Unacceptable	Grossly haemolysed samples
Specimen Transportation	Protect from light were possible
Paediatric Requirements	600 µl Li Hep Microtainer
Aliquot Requirements
Sample	Plasma Serum
Preferred Volume
Minimum Volume	100 µL
Aliquot Transportation
Clinical Information
Reference Intervals	Cord Blood 10 – 40 µmol/L Day of Birth 0 – 50 µmol/L 1 day 0 – 100 µmol/L 2 days 0 – 140 µmol/L 3 days   0 – 200 µmol/L 4 – 14 days 0 – 170 µmol/L 2 – 6 weeks   3 – 23   µmol/L >6 weeks 2 – 20   µmol/L
Test Method	Abbott Alinity c series analyser. Diazonium salt assay
Advanced Notice	Not Required
Patient Preparation
Comments
Conjugated and unconjugated fractions can be determined on a further specimen if the total bilirubin is elevated.  Bilirubin is destroyed by light.

Owner	Clair Crossley (Crossley1)
Last reviewed	30.01.2026
Next review	30.01.2027 (OK)