Bilirubin Testing Information: Elevated Bilirubin, Bilirubin Levels and High Bilirubin Causes

During the test. In order to measure bilirubin levels in the blood, blood has to be drawn from the body and analyzed in a lab. A bilirubin test is the same as having blood drawn for any other reason. A tourniquet will be tied around the upper arm, and a small needle equipped with a tiny tube will be inserted into an arm vein. This is usually done with a vein in the inside bend of the arm, however, if a vein cannot be easily accessed there it can be done on the underpart of the wrist, or the top of the hand. The poke of the needle is often described to feel like a quick mosquito bite. When newborn babies are tested for bilirubin levels, it is usually done with a lancet on the heel part of the bottom of the foot, since newborns veins are to small to be drawn from.