Photo taken by Dr. Haus
Icteric/Icterus
The terms icteric and icterus are words to describe a yellowing of the skin, sclera (white part of the eyes), and gums. Another common word for icterus is jaundice.
Icterus is caused by hyperbilirubinemia or an elevated bilirubin concentration in the patient's bloodstream.
Bilirubin is a waste product produced when red blood cells are being recycled or broken down in the body. In a normal, healthy patient, the bilirubin that is being produced from the normal breakdown of red blood cells is processed in the liver and excreted out of the body in the poop and pee.
🌈Fun fact - the yellow color of pee and brown color of poop is due to bilirubin🌈
Why are the terms icteric and icterus important?
Icterus is important to diagnose in patients because it is an indicator of severe disease. Icterus is NOT normal and an icteric patient needs to be seen by a medical professional immediately.
The three (3) major categories of underlying conditions that lead to icterus are...
- Red blood cells being destroyed at an excessive rate
- Liver injury
- Blockage of the bile ducts (duct system of the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, and small intestines)
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