Final answer:
Unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia with an unconjugated fraction over 85% of total bilirubin often indicates conditions such as hemolytic anemia or Gilbert Syndrome, which involve overproduction of bilirubin or impaired bilirubin metabolism, respectively.
Step-by-step explanation:
The condition described in the question is unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia, where more than 85% of total bilirubin is unconjugated. This type of hyperbilirubinemia occurs when there is an excess production of bilirubin due to conditions such as hemolytic anemia, or a deficiency in bilirubin metabolism as seen in disorders like Gilbert Syndrome. Hemolytic anemia leads to an overproduction of bilirubin as red blood cells are destroyed at a rate that exceeds the liver's capacity to conjugate the bilirubin. On the other hand, Gilbert Syndrome is characterized by a reduced activity of the enzyme UDP glucuronyl transferase, which is essential for bilirubin conjugation, thus resulting in the accumulation of unconjugated bilirubin in the blood.
Learn more about Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinemia