Can direct bilirubin be higher than total bilirubin?

No, direct bilirubin cannot be higher than total bilirubin. Total bilirubin is the sum of both direct (conjugated) and indirect (unconjugated) bilirubin. Therefore, direct bilirubin is always equal to or less than total bilirubin, as it is a component of the total measurement. If direct bilirubin appears higher than total bilirubin, it may indicate a laboratory error.