Why direct bilirubin increased in hepatic jaundice?

In hepatic jaundice, direct bilirubin levels increase due to impaired liver function, which affects the liver's ability to conjugate and excrete bilirubin. When liver cells are damaged or inflamed, such as in hepatitis or cirrhosis, they may not effectively process unconjugated bilirubin into its conjugated form. Consequently, both direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin can accumulate in the bloodstream, leading to jaundice. The increase in direct bilirubin specifically indicates that the liver is attempting to process bilirubin but is unable to eliminate it adequately.