A patient with jaundice has high total bilirubin that is mainly indirect (unconjugated), high concentration of stercobilin in the stool and urine. The level of direct (conjugated) bilirubin in the blood plasma is normal. What kind of jaundice can you think of?

Answer options

1. Parenchymal (hepatic)
2. Gilbert’s disease
3. Neonatal jaundice
4. Mechanical
5. Hemolytic

Explanation

Pre-hepatic jaundice is caused by anything which causes an increased rate of hemolysis (the breakdown of red blood cells). Unconjugated bilirubin comes from the breakdown of the heme pigment found in red blood cells' hemoglobin.