Jaundice is the yellowing of the skin, mucous membranes, and whites of the eyes. It occurs when there is too much bilirubin in the blood, a yellow pigment produced by the breakdown of red blood cells. While many sources say that jaundice can be recognized when the serum bilirubin rises to 2 to 2.5 mg/dl, experienced clinicians often cannot see a yellow skin coloration until the serum bilirubin is at least 7 to 8 mg/dl.
However, the visual confirmation of jaundice is not the only way to diagnose it.
Here are some ways to confirm jaundice:
- Physical examination: A healthcare professional can visually assess the patient's skin, sclera (whites of the eyes), and mucous membranes for yellow discoloration.
- Blood test: A blood test called bilirubin test can measure the level of bilirubin in the blood. Elevated levels confirm the presence of jaundice.
- Other tests: Depending on the suspected cause of jaundice, other tests like liver function tests, imaging scans (like ultrasound or CT scan), and biopsies may be performed.
Therefore, the confirmation of jaundice involves a combination of clinical observation, blood tests, and sometimes further investigations depending on the underlying cause.
