Ask a doctor - Are there different types of jaundice?

Q. Are there different types of jaundice?

Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.

Answered by Secondmedic Expert

Yes, jaundice can be classified into different types based on the underlying causes and mechanisms leading to elevated bilirubin levels. The three main types of jaundice are:

1. Pre-hepatic Jaundice (Hemolytic Jaundice):
- Cause: This type of jaundice occurs due to increased breakdown of red blood cells (hemolysis), leading to an excess of bilirubin in the bloodstream.
- Mechanism: The liver is unable to process the increased load of bilirubin caused by the rapid breakdown of red blood cells.
- Common Causes: Hemolytic anemias (e.g., sickle cell anemia, thalassemia), hereditary spherocytosis, and certain medications can contribute to pre-hepatic jaundice.

2. Hepatic Jaundice (Hepatocellular Jaundice):
- Cause: This type of jaundice results from liver dysfunction, where the liver is unable to process and conjugate bilirubin effectively.
- Mechanism: Impaired liver function may be due to various liver diseases, infections, or toxins, leading to reduced bilirubin clearance.
- Common Causes: Hepatitis (inflammation of the liver), cirrhosis (scarring of the liver tissue), alcoholic liver disease, and certain medications can cause hepatic jaundice.

3. Post-hepatic Jaundice (Obstructive Jaundice):
- Cause: Post-hepatic jaundice occurs when there is an obstruction in the bile ducts, preventing the normal flow of bile from the liver to the intestines.
- Mechanism: Bilirubin cannot be excreted into the intestines, leading to its accumulation in the blood and tissues.
- Common Causes: Gallstones, tumors in the bile ducts or pancreas, and inflammation of the bile ducts (e.g., due to primary sclerosing cholangitis) can cause post-hepatic jaundice.

It's important to note that the classification into these types helps in understanding the underlying mechanisms, but in clinical practice, individuals may have a combination of factors contributing to jaundice. Additionally, some conditions may transition from one type to another as the disease progresses. The specific type of jaundice a person has is determined through diagnostic tests, including blood tests and imaging studies, which help identify the underlying cause and guide appropriate treatment.