Icterus is the discoloration of the tissues. It occurs when the bilirubin level in the blood exceeds 3mg/100 ml. It is usually noticeable on the skin. It can be elevated enough to be seen in the eye or other organs.

Icterus is the discoloration of the tissues. It occurs when the bilirubin level in the blood exceeds 3mg/100 ml. It is usually noticeable on the skin. It can be elevated enough to be seen in the eye or other organs.

Icterus occurs when there is an increase in the amount of bilirubin coming to the liver through the blood vessels or a decrease in the excretion of bilirubin from the liver through the bile ducts.



The reasons for the increase in the amount of bilirubin coming to the liver:

  • More bilirubin released in the blood as a result of the breakdown of certain cells
  • The high level of bilirubin, which is released from the already lysed cells as a result of a waiting blood supply to the body
  • The elevation of bilirubin released by cells that break apart while outside the vein as a result of reabsorption and resorption of blood accumulation that occurs as a result of bleeding in any part of the body.

Causes of decreased hepatic excretion of bilirubin by the biliary tract:

  • Bilirubin accumulates behind with decreased uptake by liver cells
    • Drug effects
    • Crigler-Najjar syndrome
    • Gilbert’s syndrome
  • Accumulation of bilirubin due to a defect in its breakdown in liver cells
    • Gilbert’s syndrome
    • Drug effects
    • Breastfeeding jaundice
  • Accumulation of bilirubin due to impaired excretion from liver cells
    • Drug effects
    • Dubin Johnson syndrome
    • Idiopathic cholestesis in pregnancy
  • Accumulation of bilirubin due to impaired excretion from the biliary tract
    • Stones in the bile ducts
    • Pancreatic cancers
    • Bile duct cancers
  • Liver diseases
    • Viral hepatitis
    • Alcoholic liver disease
    • Cirrhosis
    • Liver cancer and metastases

Icterus is not usually seen alone. It may be accompanied by fever, malaise, weakness, nausea or vomiting. Sometimes there may be abdominal pains. Abdominal pain cramps may occur.

Icterus can often be seen in some familial diseases:

  • Hemolytic diseases
  • Wilson’s disease
  • Gilbert’s disease
  • Alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency etc.

If you feel yellowing on your skin, consult your doctor, even if there are no other symptoms. It can be a symptom of a serious illness.


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