Jaundice is a yellowing of your skin and the whites of your eyes. It happens through a buildup of bilirubin, a yellow substance released during the normal breakdown of red blood cells. Important to know: jaundice is a signal, not a diagnosis, and several causes are possible.
If you notice a yellow colour on yourself, that's understandably a shock. Yet it doesn't always have to be something serious. Below you'll read calmly what jaundice is, which causes can be behind it, and when it's smart to see a doctor.
What is jaundice?
Jaundice means your skin and the whites of your eyes turn yellow. That's because there's too much bilirubin in your blood. Bilirubin is a yellow substance your liver normally processes and clears.
When that processing falters, or when too much bilirubin is produced, the substance builds up. You often see it first in the whites of your eyes, later in your skin too. It often comes with dark urine and pale stool.
So jaundice isn't a disease in itself, but a sign that something is going on. The question is always: what's behind it?
What are the causes of jaundice?
The causes of jaundice fall roughly into three groups. The first is a problem in the liver itself, for example from hepatitis. The second is a blockage of the bile ducts, for example from gallstones. The third is a faster breakdown of red blood cells.
In each of those groups, too much bilirubin forms or it can't be cleared properly. The table below places them side by side. See it as an overview, not a way to give yourself a diagnosis.
| Cause group | Example |
|---|---|
| Liver affected | Hepatitis or another liver inflammation |
| Bile ducts blocked | Gallstones or a blocked bile duct |
| Faster blood breakdown | Red blood cells break down faster than the liver can handle |
According to the Maag Lever Darm Stichting, hepatitis belongs to the liver causes. So it's one of the possible explanations, but certainly not the only one.
Does jaundice always point to hepatitis?
No, jaundice doesn't automatically point to hepatitis. Hepatitis is one of the possible causes, but gallstones, a blocked bile duct or fast blood breakdown can just as well be the reason. Only testing can reveal what's actually going on.
Still, the link with hepatitis is real. Both hepatitis B and hepatitis C can cause jaundice, though that's far from always the case. More about those viruses is in our piece on hepatitis B and C.
If, alongside jaundice, you may have been at risk of an STI, a test can help rule that direction out or confirm it. That way you know whether hepatitis plays a role.
Which symptoms come with jaundice?
Jaundice often doesn't come alone. Besides the yellow colour of skin and eyes, you regularly see dark urine and pale, almost white stool. Some people get itching with it.
That combination arises because the bilirubin doesn't take its normal route. Instead of leaving the body through your stool, the substance builds up and part of it leaves through your urine. Hence those striking colour differences.
If you check for these complaints, they're often clearer than the yellow colour itself. With hepatitis they usually come weeks to months after infection, if they come at all. If you recognise more hepatitis complaints, read our piece on hepatitis C symptoms.
When should you see a doctor about jaundice?
Jaundice in an adult is always a reason to contact your GP. Not because it's necessarily serious, but because it can point to something that needs attention. So don't wait too long with it.
Especially if the yellow colour comes on quickly, or comes with abdominal pain, fever, dark urine or pale stool, a visit to the GP is sensible. The GP can judge how urgent it is and what's needed.
Don't see contacting your GP as overreacting, but as the logical first step. Better to check once too often than to leave a cause too long.
How is the cause of jaundice investigated?
The GP usually starts with questions and a blood test. That blood is checked for things like your bilirubin and your liver values. That gives a first picture of where the problem lies.
If the doctor suspects a virus like hepatitis is involved, a test for it belongs to the picture. If you may be at risk of hepatitis through sex or blood, read our piece on hepatitis B transmission. If you want to get checked specifically, the hepatitis test gives insight there.
Depending on the result, further testing can follow, for example of your bile ducts. Always discuss your results and complaints with your GP, who can help you decide whether further steps are needed.
References
- Maag Lever Darm Stichting. Hepatitis. 2024. mdlfonds.nl
- RIVM. Hepatitis B. 2024. rivm.nl
- RIVM. Hepatitis C. 2024. rivm.nl
Every blood test result at Discreet Test includes a professional assessment by a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.
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