Most of the heme which is degraded comes from hemoglobin.
Heme is degraded in two steps to bilirubin (pronounce), which is conjugated to glucuronic acid and excreted.
Bilirubin is highly lipid soluble. This property determines its behavior and its further metabolism.
Several diseases are associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Direct and indirect bilirubin values are used in the differential diagnosis of hyperbilirubinemia (pronounce).
Return to Main Menu
Last modified 1/5/95