What are the normal values ​​of bile acid? What is the significance?

The gallbladder is an important auxiliary digestive organ in the human body. The main function of the bile secreted by the gallbladder is the primary decomposition of fat, thus providing the prerequisite for the stomach and intestines to thoroughly digest fat. Bile acid is a very important indicator that can reflect the health level of the gallbladder. So, what is the normal value of bile acid? What is the significance? Let’s take a look at the explanation below.

The normal reference value of serum total bile acid is 0.1～10.0μmol/L.

Total bile acid is a group of metabolites of cholesterol in the liver and enterohepatic circulation. It is the final product of cholesterol metabolism in the liver and is closely related to the absorption, metabolism and regulation of cholesterol.

The total bile acids in the human body are divided into two categories: primary bile acids and secondary bile acids. Primary bile acids use cholesterol as raw material and are involved in the digestion and absorption of fat. After passing through the biliary system and entering the duodenum, it undergoes hydrolysis reaction under the action of intestinal bacteria to produce secondary bile acids. When liver cells are diseased or there is obstruction inside or outside the liver, bile acid metabolism is impaired and refluxes into the blood, increasing the serum total bile acid concentration. Therefore, changes in total bile acid levels can sensitively reflect liver function.

Clinical significance:

Serum total bile acid is a relatively sensitive diagnostic indicator for liver parenchymal damage and digestive system diseases. Total bile acid can reflect the liver's excretion function more specifically. Once liver cells are diseased or enterohepatic circulation is impaired, total bile acid will increase.

Increased serum total bile acid: It can be seen in various acute and chronic hepatitis, hepatitis B carriers or alcoholic hepatitis (TBA is more sensitive than all other liver function tests in detecting mild liver disease), and can also be seen in most extrahepatic bile duct obstruction and intrahepatic cholestatic diseases, cirrhosis, obstructive jaundice, etc.