Bilirubin (also known as bile pigment) is an important test in the assessment and diagnosis of liver and bile diseases and hemolysis. So where is bilirubin formed, and why does bilirubin testing help us diagnose these diseases?

Bilirubin is the end product of hemoglobin metabolism and is derived primarily from the breakdown of red blood cells, to a lesser extent from cytochromes and myoglobin.