| Material | Serum or EDTA plasma or heparin plasma 0.5 ml |
| Method | Photometry |
| Duration | Reporting of results on the day the sample is received (Mon–Sat) |
| Remark | - The breakdown of haemoglobin and other cytochromes produces bilirubin. Visible icterus correlates with concentrations of 17 μmol/l or more, except in horses (horse: > 75 μmol/l).
- Prehepatic icterus leads to an increased concentration of haemoglobin in the blood.
- Intrahepatic icterus: Increase in bilirubin concentration due to damage of liver cells
- Posthepatic icterus (rare): Increase caused by retention of bile
- Inanition icterus (special form of icterus in horses and cattle): This type of hyperbilirubinaemia occurs during lipomobilisation, as the free fatty acids that are released compete with bilirubin for transport proteins, resulting in higher levels of free bilirubin in the blood.
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